2022 Extension Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program Results

Coordinator: Dr. Erick Larson

Extension Associate: Nolan Stapleton

MSU Extension Supervisors: Preston Aust, Andy Braswell, Dr. Bill Burdine, Alex Deason, Chad Hankins, Mark Harrison, Kyle Lewis, Randall Nevins, Reid Nevins, Michael Pruden, Tracy Robertson, and Dr. Mark Shankle

Grower Cooperators: Brown Farms, Dantzler Pilkinton and Phillips Farm, DRIII Farms, Dunn Farms, Cecil Ferrell, Guedon Farms, David Hey, Danny Holloway, Hopeso Farms, Long Lake Farms, Danny Mashburn, McClain Farms, Matthew Poe, and Shellmound Farms

Program Objectives: The MSU Extension Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program is intended to provide corn growers, crop consultants, and other agricultural professionals a firsthand opportunity to observe performance of elite hybrids and generate information to better assess hybrid performance and adaptability in Mississippi. This program provides a unique opportunity to observe and evaluate plant characteristics and environmental responses of our best corn hybrids in local, on-farm demonstration plots representing our production systems.

Program Methodology: Hybrids voluntarily entered in this program must be validated by producing superior grain yield in the Mississippi Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials or be a relevant market standard. Hybrids are selected annually and grouped into two distinct sets based upon performance in dryland or irrigated culture, since both these cropping systems are prevalent in Mississippi and can affect hybrid adaptability. Seed companies are granted the discretion to enter hybrids that have demonstrated superior performance in the Mississippi Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials, or a newly released hybrid that they believe is more promising or better adapted. This establishes an elite group of corn hybrids for evaluation in the program. Each standardized set of hybrids is grown at numerous field locations representing Mississippi cropping systems. Mississippi State University Extension regional agronomic crop specialists and county agricultural agents coordinate locations with grower cooperators and supervise plots. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station scientists also grow some trials on branch stations.

Grain Yield Data: Hybrids evaluated in this program are generally planted in “strip trials.” Yield data generated from a single location are not as reliable as when treatments are replicated numerous times. Treatment replication reduces the effect of numerous factors that can impart variability that may affect performance and confound results. Thus, average yields are calculated from data collected at multiple locations and presented in this publication to better assess yield performance related to hybrid genetics. Analyses of yield data were performed with SAS using GLM procedures, and means are separated at the 0.05 level. This yield data derived from numerous, diverse environments is intended to supplement data generated in university hybrid trials.

Technology Traits: All hybrid entries are glyphosate tolerant. Inclusion of other traits is optional and is primarily based on product availability and the discretion of the respective seed companies. Corn borer protection normally enhances yield at locations where corn borers are present. All seed are commercially treated with an insecticide seed treatment, which is at the discretion of each respective seed company. Seed treatments are utilized to minimize damage from insect pests during seedling establishment.

Relative Maturity: Maturity is measured and reported as the number of days to tassel, as well as grain moisture at harvest. Grain moisture is represented for locations where grain was still actively drying at harvest.

Plant Height: Full plant height is measured after tassel emergence. Plant height is one of several factors that may affect light interception, which is critical to photosynthesis and grain yield. Short plant height may reduce potential light interception, particularly in wide rows. Tall plants are generally more likely to lodge and will likely have higher water demand during the growing season.

Ear Height: Ear height is measured and represented as a mean height above the soil surface. High ear placement may promote more efficient energy utilization in the plant, as leaves in the upper canopy intercept more light and produce more photosynthetic energy for the developing ear. However, high ear placement may make plants more top-heavy and thus more prone to lodge when exposed to strong wind.

Root Strength: This is an evaluation of a hybrid’s ability to resist root lodging. Root lodging occurs when the force caused by wind exceeds the roots’ ability to stabilize plants and keep them erect. Thus, the entire stalk leans or completely falls to ground level, often dislodging part of the roots from the soil. This may promote a “domino effect,” causing root lodging across a field. This may greatly hinder harvest efficiency because plants lay nearly flat on the ground, making stalks difficult to gather into a combine to harvest.

Stalk Strength: An evaluation of a hybrid’s ability to resist stalk lodging, which is when the lower stalk bends, collapses, or breaks above ground level. Stalk lodging often increases when plants are stressed, or harvest is delayed, which promotes stalk deterioration. Stalk lodging is usually more prevalent than root lodging but may be less troublesome because timely harvest might help mitigate issues.

Stalk Integrity: A characterization of the plant’s ability to maintain physical integrity after maturity and predict potential harvest issues. Poor stalk integrity typically appears as weak or broken stalks, particularly above the ear, and torn or tattered leaves.

Greensnap: This is a relative rating of resistance to stalk breakage during vegetative development stages. Corn is most sensitive to this problem during mid to late vegetative growth stages when stalks are rapidly developing and may be brittle and vulnerable to breakage if exposed to high winds. The outcome normally severs the stalk below where the ear should develop, so damaged plants rarely produce a viable ear.

Disease Resistance: Disease resistance represents a hybrid’s ability to resist infection from a specific pathogen. Southern rust and Curvularia leaf spot were rated based on disease presence.

Yield Components: Corn grain yield is determined by the total number of kernels produced and kernel weight. Kernel number is the kernel rows an ear produces and the number of kernels per row. Each of these traits is determined during different growth stages. Kernel row number is determined during late vegetative stages and is the first yield component determined. Kernel number is primarily determined during the first few weeks after pollination as young kernels develop until the milk stage. Kernel weight is the final yield component determined and is dependent upon favorable conditions from milk stage until physiological maturity.

Test Weight: Test weight is a measurement of grain bulk density and an indicator of general grain quality. It is a standard component used to assess official grain grade for commercial trade.

*Grain yields were analyzed, and average yield values represented with any combination of the same letter are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

*Grain yields were analyzed, and average yield values represented with any combination of the same letter are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Publication 3942 (POD-09-23)

By Erick Larson, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences.