Corn acreage has been on the rise in southeastern Kansas in recent years because of the introduction of short-season cultivars which enable producers to plant in the upland, claypan soils typical of the area. Short-season hybrids reach reproductive stages earlier than full-season hybrids and thus may partially avoid mid-summer droughts that are often severe on these claypan soils with limited plant-available moisture storage. However, soil fertility and other management options have not been well defined for short-season corn production in southeastern Kansas. Optimum corn production results from use of proper management options that include soil fertility and tillage selections. Reducing tillage has the potential to reduce losses to the environment, but maintaining proper plant nutrition is critical for crop production. Starters have been used to improve early plant growth in no- or reduced-tillage systems and this often translates to additional yield. However, data are limited regarding the effect of starter fertilization on yield of short-season corn grown on the claypan soils found in areas of the eastern Great Plains.