The purpose of using skip-row configurations is to delay plant use of available water until later in the season when it is critical for kernel fill. The objective of this study was to measure phenology occurring with four row configurations at three populations under drought and limited irrigation. The dryland trial was conducted at Hayes Center, and at Scottsbluff, the trial was partially irrigated. Row configurations were no skip rows, skip row between two planted rows, skip row alternating with planted row, and two skip rows alternating with two planted rows, each at 24,700, 37,000 and 49,400 plants ha-1. The trials were factorials with four replicates. Prior to harvest, ears from six plants were removed and analyzed for their characteristics such as yield, fill and ear length. At Hayes Ctr. where precipitation from 1 May to 30 Sep was 30 cm, yield from the double skip-row pattern was greatest from both ears with a greater portion from the second ear. Increasing the population increased yield with all the increase from the first ear and a decrease in plants with a second ear. Double-skip row increased ear length, but increased population decreased ear length and fill. Double-skip row raised kernel density and weight while the highest population did the reverse. At Scottsbluff with seasonal precipitation of 35 cm, there was a yield decrease with the double skip row pattern with no effect by population. Increasing skip rows or population decreased yield from second ears; population increased yield from first ears. Double-skip rows and increased population decreased ear lengths. There was no effect on kernel density or weight. Under drought conditions, planting corn in a double-skip row pattern may increase yield by changing the growth pattern of first and second ears, and increase kernel size and weight.