Using Sodium Chlorate To Dry Down Corn Not Recommended

By Don Molino

Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

LSU AgCenter Corn Specialist Dr. Shelly Kerns says she has gotten a lot of questions lately about using sodium chlorate as a means of drying down corn plants faster. She emphasizes that is not a common practice. “Historically, the use of sodium chlorate in other crops is only as a desiccant to dry down weeds ahead of harvest,” says Kerns.

“Corn dries down on its on, so an application of sodium chlorate is not needed for that purpose. Any premium being offered for early delivery may be undercut by reductions in test weight, quality and drying fees,” Kerns pointed out.

Dr. Kerns also says there are rercommendations being made to put this out at 50% milk line. But keep in mind any moisture stress before black layer runs a risk of reducitons in test weight, quality and yield.

She says there are just too many unknowns to know if applying sodium chlorate would be economically beneficial. “I would proceed cautiously as there are a lot of potential risks involved, and the bottom line is this product is not needed to dry down corn. It is being used by those who wahnt to cut early even if the kernels end up still too high in moisture.”

Kerns put up an impromptu test at the Macon Ridge Research Statin in order to get base line data on potential implications of sodium chlorate applications in corn and she plans to conduct a more thorough test in 2026.