2022 Ohio Corn Performance Test
2024 OHIO CORN PERFORMANCE TEST
R.J. Minyo and O. Ortez, Horticulture & Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) M.A. Lowe, CFAES Wooster Research Operations and D.G. Lohnes, CFAES Information Technology
Ohio State University Extension/Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center
The purpose of the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) is to evaluate corn hybrids for grain yield and other important agronomic characteristics. Results of the test can assist farmers in selecting hybrids best suited to their farming operations and production environments as well as complement recommendations made by seed companies and breeding programs. Corn hybrids differ considerably in yield potential, standability, maturity, and other agronomic characteristics that affect profitable crop production. Hybrid selection should be based on proven performance from multiple test locations and years. The presentation of results in this report does not imply endorsement of any hybrid by The Ohio State University.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Annually, seed companies marketing corn hybrids in Ohio are invited to enter hybrids in the test. An entry fee is charged per hybrid to offset the operational expenses of the program. In 2024, companies were permitted to enter an unlimited number of hybrids. Ten sites were available for hybrid evaluation covering three regions of Ohio (Southwestern/West Central/Central; Northwestern; North Central/ Northeastern). Seed companies were required to enter a hybrid at all the sites within a testing region. Each hybrid entry was evaluated using three replications per site in a randomized complete block design. Hybrids were planted either in an early or full season maturity trial based on relative maturity information provided by the companies. In the Southwestern/West Central/Central region, the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 111 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 112 days or later. In the Northwestern and North Central/Northeastern regions, the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 108 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 109 days or later. Hybrids were planted with an Almaco Seed Pro 360 plot planter with SkyTrip GPS. Each plot consisted of four 30-inch rows approximately 25 feet long. Force 6.5 soil insecticide was applied in a T-band to all test plots. Seed companies selected a final stand and percent overplant for each hybrid entered. Fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and foliar fungicides were applied according to recommended cultural practices for obtaining optimum grain yields. Details concerning the establishment and management of each 2024 test site are listed in footnotes below the tables for each location.
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SITE INFORMATION |
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| SITE | BUCYRUS | WOOSTER | COLUMBIANA |
| SOIL TYPE | LAURY SILTY CLAY LOAM | CANFIELD SILT LOAM | CANFIELD SILT LOAM |
| SOIL TEST (pH,P,K) | 6.2, 26, 157 | 6.5, 45, 146 | 6.4, 43, 160 |
| PREVIOUS CROP | SOYBEANS | SOYBEANS | DOUBLE CROP SOYBEANS |
| PLANTING /HARVEST DATES | MAY 26 / OCT. 22 | MAY 22 / NOV 11 | MAY 7 / OCT. 18 |
| TILLAGE | MINIMUM TILL | MINIMUM TILL | MINIMUM TILL |
| FERTILIZER (N,P,K) | 210, 26, 0, 6S | 237, 95, 90, 6S | |
| COOPERATOR | CRAWFORD COUNTY EXTENSION | MIKE SWORD / KEN SCAIFE, CFAES WOOSTER | MYRON WEHR |
| FUNGICIDE | YES | YES | YES |
| COUNTY | CRAWFORD | WAYNE | COLUMBIANA |
| SITE | VAN WERT | HOYTVILLE | UPPER SANDUSKY |
| SOIL TYPE | MINISTER SILTY CLAY LOAM | HOYTVILLE CLAY | MILFORD SILTY CLAY LOAM |
| SOIL TEST (pH,P,K) | 7.0, 32, 179 | 6.5, 72, 212 | 5.9, 64, 206 |
| PREVIOUS CROP | SOYBEANS | SOYBEANS | SOYBEANS |
| PLANTING /HARVEST DATES | MAY 21 / OCT. 28 | MAY 23 / OCT. 22 | MAY 24 / OCT. 24 |
| TILLAGE | STRIP TILL | STALL SEEDBED | MINIMUM TILL |
| FERTILIZER (N,P,K) | 225, 26, 120, 6S | 210, 26, 0, 6S | 224, 104, 90, 6S |
| FUNGICIDE | YES | NO | YES |
| COOPERATOR | NICK WILLIAMS FARM | MATT DAVIS, CFAES Outlying Stations | LARRY ROSS FARM |
| COUNTY | VAN WERT | WOOD | WYANDOT |
| SITE | SOUTH CHARLESTON | WASHINGTON C.H. | GREENVILLE |
| SOIL TYPE | KOKOMO SILT LOAM | PATTON SILTY CLAY LOAM | BROOKSTON SILT LOAM |
| SOIL TEST (pH,P,K) | 7.0, 75, 190 | NA | 7.3, 34, 189 |
| PREVIOUS CROP | SOYBEANS | SOYBEANS | WHEAT |
| PLANTING /HARVEST DATES | MAY 30 / OCT. 17 | MAY 15 / NA | MAY 20 / OCT. 3 |
| TILLAGE | MINIMUM TILL | MINIMUM TILL | STALE SEEDBED |
| FERTILIZER (N,P,K) | 240, 26, 40, 6S | 238, 156, 195, 6S | 210, 26, 0, 6S |
| FUNGICIDE | YES | YES | YES |
| COOPERATOR | JOE DAVLIN, CFAES Outlying Stations | SOLLARS FARM | STUMP FARMS |
| COUNTY | CLARK | FAYETTE | DARKE |
| SITE | HEBRON | ||
| SOIL TYPE | LURAY SILTY CLAY LOAM | ||
| SOIL TEST (pH,P,K) | 6.2, 37, 152 | ||
| PREVIOUS CROP | CORN | ||
| PLANTING /HARVEST DATES | MAY 22 / OCT. 29 | ||
| TILLAGE | MINIMUM TILL | ||
| FERTILIZER (N,P,K) | 265, 26, 90, 30S | ||
| FUNGICDE | YES | ||
| COOPERATOR | PARRISH FARMS | ||
| COUNTY | LICKING | ||
Soil Test reported as Melich3 ppm / Fertilizer N, P, K & S reported as lbs./acre.
MEASUREMENTS AND RECORDS
YIELD. The center two rows of each plot were harvested with a self propelled two row picker sheller combine. Yields are reported as bushels of grain per acre (Bu/A) at 15.5 percent moisture.
MOISTURE (Harv Mst). A grain moisture determination was made from each plot with an electrical conductance moisture meter. Grain moisture is reported as percent grain moisture.
LODGING (Stk Ldg). The number of broken stalks in each plot was determined prior to harvest. Only those plants with a stalk broken below the ear were considered stalk lodged. Stalk lodging is reported as a percentage of final plant stand.
FINAL STAND (Final Std). Seed companies selected a desired planting rate for each hybrid entered. Differences between the planting rate and the final stand may be attributed to seed quality and/or environmental conditions present. Populations are reported in hundreds per acre (100/A).
EMERGENCE (Emg). A plant count was made on each test plot after plant emergence. The emergence percentage was computed based on the number of plants and the number of seeds planted and reported as the percentage of seeds planted.
TEST WEIGHT (TW). Test weights were recorded in pounds per bushel on grain samples at field moisture. The results are a summary (average) of all sites in each region.
LSD 0.10 - Least Significant Differences at probability level 0.10 (LSD 0.10) are reported for yield and other agronomic characteristics. Differences between hybrids are significant only if they are equal to or greater than the LSD value. If a given hybrid out yields another hybrid by as much or more than the LSD value, then we are 90% confident (i.e., the odds are 10:1) that the yield difference is real, with only a 10% probability that the difference is due to chance variation (such as soil variation, etc.). For example, if Hybrid X is 19 Bu/A higher in yield than Hybrid Y, then this difference is statistically significant if the LSD is 19 Bu/A or less. If the LSD is 20 Bu/A or greater, then we are less confident that Hybrid X is higher yielding than Hybrid Y under conditions of the test. If ‘NS’ is indicated for a characteristic, then the differences among hybrid entries are not significant at the 10% probability level.
2024 GROWING CONDITIONS
The 2024 Ohio growing season will be remembered for its extreme variability. One of the main challenges was a delayed start to the planting season. Despite above average temperatures in April and May, persistent rain events limited suitable days for field work, especially in the Northwest region of the state. By May 5, 26% of corn was planted in Ohio according to USDA reports. By May 19, 46% of Ohio’s corn acres were planted and reported planted acres reached 90% by June 2 (3% behind 2023 and 17% ahead of the five year average). Temperatures in June through August were generally below average and precipitation was well below average. Rainfall during the growing season was variable across test sites ranging from 18.5 inches (7.8” below average) at Upper Sandusky to 25.7 inches (2.2” below average) at Hoytville in the Northwest Region. Averaged across the 10 Ohio Corn Performance Test locations, precipitation was 5.9 inches below the ten year average. Heat-unit accumulation was generally greater at OCPT sites in the Southwestern/West Central/Central and Northwestern regions (with heat-unit accumulation ranging from 3,491 to 3,619 Growing Degree Days - GDDs) than sites in the North Central/Northeastern region (3,112 and 3,375 GDDs). Overall, the heat-unit accumulation was 470 GDD’s higher in 2024 when compared to 2023.
RESULTS
Results of the 2024 testing program are presented in Tables 1 to 10. Yields and other agronomic performance characteristics are averaged across the individual test sites and shown under the SUMMARY heading for each region in Tables 1 through 9. A combined regional summary of hybrid performance is presented in Table 10. The brand, seed source, hybrid number, and table location for hybrids tested in 2024 are summarized in Table 11. Hybrids are listed in alphabetical order by brand. Additionally, the technology traits (e.g., herbicide and insect resistant events) and seed treatments (e.g., insecticide and fungicide) associated with each hybrid entry are indicated in Table 11 (information provided by seed companies).
Saturated soil conditions delayed planting in the Northwestern and Northeastern regions until mid-to-late May. Precipitation was below normal for the rest of the growing season, which limited yield potential compared to other regions in the state. The precipitation timing and totals were extremely variable across the state throughout the growing season. Foliar diseases and insect pests were generally not a major factor. GLS and NCLB could be found at a few locations in mid July. Tar Spot, however, was state-wide with the highest incidence of disease pressure in central and southern Ohio. Tar Spot appeared late (R5) in the Northwestern region with limited yield impact. Gibberella Ear Rot (GER) and other ear molds were observed in some hybrids at most locations. Stalk lodging was largely absent across locations except at the South Charleston location where strong winds from hurricane Helene caused moderate-to-severe root lodging in many, but not all hybrids.
Confidence in test results increases with the number of years and the number of locations in which the hybrid is tested. Table 10 presents combined performance data for hybrids tested at six and eight locations in 2024. Tables 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 provide multiple year performance data as well. Look for consistency in a hybrid’s performance across a range of environmental conditions. Yield, standability, grain moisture, and other comparisons should be considered between hybrids of similar maturity to determine those best adapted to each location or region. Results of the corn performance trials for 2024 and previous years (archive tab, 2000 to 2023) are available online at: https://ohiocroptest.cfaes.osu.edu/corntrials/. Results and hybrids can be sorted by yield, brand, and other variables online.
Acknowlegements
We thank our farmer cooperators for their contributions to the 2024 Ohio Corn Performance Test. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Matt Lowe, OSU Farm Operations-Wooster, establishing the test plots, Joe Davlin, OSU-OARDC Western Agricultural Research Station, Matt Davis, OSU-OARDC Northwest Agricultural Research Station and Ken Scaife and Mike Sword, OSU-OARDC Wooster. We thank Stacy Cochran and Juliette Portisch, CFAES Marketing and Communications, for their assistance in preparing the 2024 test results for publication.