phosphorus – Manitoba Crop Alliance

What is the difference between GDD, CHU and RM? Why and when are they each important?

Morgan Cott on June 1, 2026

By Morgan Cott, Agronomy Extension Specialist – Special Crops, Manitoba Crop Alliance

This is such a great question and I understand the reasons for asking. First of all, I think it is understood that GDD & CHU both basically measure how efficiently a day’s heat will benefit a growing or developing crop. One main difference between the two measurements is that CHU does account for extremely high temperatures (>30^oC) that negatively affect crop development. CHU also looks at both the nighttime low temperatures (4.4^oC as the base) and daytime temperatures between only 10^oC (base) and 30^oC (optimum ceiling).

GDD has historically been used to help estimate certain agronomic events like insect emergence, weed emergence, frost-free days and specific crop staging. My understanding is that CHU is used more for maturity than for the ability to accurately predict these different timelines throughout the season. This might be why certain seed companies use CHU and RM for maturity ranking and GDD for staging references.

Pride Seeds is an example of this, because they break down maturity with both CHU and RM, in addition to two key reproductive stages in GDD accumulation.

When calculating GDD or CHU, you will start from the day after corn was planted. It takes from 100 – 120 GDD for corn to emerge following planting, which is in ideal conditions, including soil moisture and soil temperature, which were variable this spring (and every spring). Start your calculations from day 1 until the day of emergence and see if that fits the above. Now that corn has emerged and is actively growing in your current conditions, continue to monitor accumulating GDD with the following formula. This will give you a head start on expectations during the growing season. When to expect pollination, for example. Note that this GDD accumulation in relation to corn staging is all in relation to each individual hybrid. A shorter season hybrid will need fewer GDD or CHU to reach black layer than a longer season hybrid, of course.

Helpful Resources:

How much 10-34-0 can be applied with my corn seed?

Morgan Cott on May 5, 2026

Oddly, I have had this conversation more this winter/spring than ever before. On paper, there is a finite answer. Anecdotally, there are a few different options and it is all dependent on soil type and soil conditions, moisture, etc.

First of all, side-banding any type of fertilizer is much safer than placing it with the seed. Some fertilizers are safe in certain quantities with the seed, but very few. Side-banding is much safer and provides quick access to the roots. Midrow banding is the safest method, but roots take that much longer to access the fertilizer row, which negates the “starter” effect. The other factor that indicates the level of safety is soil moisture; the drier the soil, the more risky it is to place any fertilizer with or near the seed.

I’m guilty of thinking that fertilizer toxicity to the seed is mainly due to the nitrogen content and a result of ammonia burn. Salt injury is actually more common and affects germination and early season growth, so applying fertilizers that have a low salt index in closer proximity to the seed is best, if any has to be close to the seed at all. Bonus points if there is good soil moisture at the time of fertilization.

As I mentioned, on paper there are defined rates of 10-34-0 that can safely be applied in-furrow with corn on 30” rows. This table shows those rates and placement that will help to avoid salt injury to the corn crop.

Table: Amount of 10-34-0 (gal/acre) to help avoid salt injury to corn grown in 30” rows.

After having some discussions with Manitoba corn farmers on various soil types, I did get some reasonable responses explaining increasing rates in heavier, wetter soils. But more importantly, decreasing the above rates in dry and/or lighter soils. These were purely anecdotal and not research-based.

I recommend being very conservative in 10-34-0 rates if you are new to trying this method of application, and especially if you are planting in dry conditions and/or coarse soil textures. Start small and have many conversations with your peers on their experiences with various rates of 10-34-0 in-furrow. Use that information to make a conservative decision of your own.

Remember, start your season with success and make smart choices. Do not make decisions that could get your crop off to a bad start. We live in Manitoba – Mother Nature is hard enough on us in spring.