2010 Ohio Corn Performance Test

R.J. Minyo Jr.¹,  A.B. Geyer¹, P.R. Thomison¹, B.L. Bishop², and D.G. Lohnes²

Department of Horticulture and Crop Science Series 215, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
¹Department of Horticulture and Crop Science and ²Information Technology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

This report is a summary of performance data collected from corn hybrid trials in Ohio during 2010, across eight sites in Ohio: South Charleston, Washington Court House, Van Wert, Hoytville, Upper Sandusky, Beliot, Bucyrus and Coschocton. For more details on corn management and production, see the Ohio Agronomy Guide, Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 472, (available online at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b472/0005.html).

TEST LOCATIONS

The purpose of the Ohio Corn Performance Test is to evaluate corn hybrids for yield, grain quality, and other important agronomic characteristics. Results of the test can assist farmers in selecting hybrids best suited to their farming operations and production environments. 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 data does not imply endorsement of any hybrid by The Ohio State University.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Seed companies marketing corn hybrids in Ohio are invited to enter hybrids in the test. An entry fee is charged to cover expenses. In 2010, companies were permitted to enter an unlimited number of hybrids. Ten sites were available for hybrid evaluation. Testing was available in three regions of Ohio (Southwestern and West Central; Northwestern; North Central and Northeastern). Companies were required to enter a hybrid in three sites within a testing region. Testing was also conducted at Coshocton (east central Ohio) in an area of high gray leaf spot incidence. Evaluation techniques for hybrids at this location were similar to those used in the regional testing program. Each hybrid entry in the regional trials is evaluated using three replications per site in a randomized complete block design. In the regional tests, hybrids were planted either in an early or full season maturity trial based on relative maturity information provided by the companies. In the Southwestern and West Central region, the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 110 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 111 days or later. In the Northwestern and North Central and 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. At Coshocton, four replications were used and hybrids were not evaluated separately by maturity. Hybrids were planted with a commercial type planter adapted for plot planting. Each plot consisted of four 30-inch rows approximately 25 feet long. Force 3G soil insecticide was applied in a T-band to all plots. Seed corn producers selected a final stand and percent overplant for each hybrid entered. Fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides were applied according to recommended cultural practices for obtaining optimum grain yields. Details concerning the establishment and management of each 2010 test are listed in the site information

MEASUREMENTS AND RECORDS

YIELD. The center two rows of each plot were harvested with a self propelled two row picker sheller combine. Yields were 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 was reported as percent grain moisture.

LODGING (STK LDG). The number of broken stalks in each plot was determined just prior to harvest. Only those plants with a stalk broken below the ear were considered stalk lodged. Stalk lodging was reported as a percentage of final plant stand.

FINAL STAND (FINAL STD). Seed corn producers 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 were reported in hundreds (100/A) per acre.

EMERGENCE (EMG). An emergence count was made on each plot after plant emergence. The emergence percentage was computed based on the number of plants and the number of kernels planted, and was reported as a percentage of the kernels planted.

MID SILK (SILK). The mid silk date is the Julian day of the year in which 50% of the plants show silks at one site in a region.

TEST WEIGHT (TW). Test weights were recorded in pounds per bushel on grain samples at field moisture. The results are an average of all three sites in the regional tests.

LSD 0.05. Least Significant Differences at probability level 0.05 (LSD 0.05) 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 95% confident (i.e. the odds are 19:1) that the yield difference is real, with only a 5% 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 really 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 5% probability level.

GROSS INCOME IN $/ACRE. Calculated using corn price of $4.75 per bushel and $0.03 drying charge for each percentage of moisture above 15.5%.

2010 GROWING CONDITIONS

Environmental conditions varied greatly across Ohio during the 2010 growing season, especially with regard to the amount and distribution of precipitation. At most test sites, rainfall from planting through the mid to late vegetative stages of corn development was above normal. Excessively wet soils in May and June limited early season root development and resulted in shallow root systems. Saturated soil conditions contributed to reduced emergence of some hybrids. Below average rainfall combined with above average temperatures persisted from the late vegetative stages through maturity at most sites. However, grain yield loss to water stress was usually limited by timely rains and adequate soil moisture.

RESULTS

Results of the 2010 testing program are presented in Tables 1 to 11. The seed source and table location for hybrids tested in 2010 are shown in Table 12. The transgenic herbicide and insect resistant events and insecticide and fungicide seed treatments associated with each hybrid entry (information provided by seed companies) are indicated in Table 12. Hybrids that do not contain transgenic events are specified as "NON-GMO". Organically produced seed entries are specified as "NON-GMO, Organic". In the tables for the regional trials, yields and other agronomic performance characteristics have been averaged across the individual tests and shown under the SUMMARY heading. Hybrids are listed in increasing order of summary grain moisture content at harvest in the regional trials.

Performance data for Greenville in the SC/WC region and Wooster in the NC/NE region are not reported because of weather related damage. At Greenville, heavy rains shortly after planting, in combination with late season water stress, resulted in erratic stands that led to highly variable yields. At Wooster, strong winds associated with a tornado on Sept. 16, destroyed and flattened much of the corn test. Yields were highest at S. Charleston and Washington CH in the SW region (averaging above 242 bu/A) and lowest at Hoytville in NW region and Beloit in the NE region (averaging less than 148 bu/A). In contrast to 2009, high temperatures during grain fill in 2010 accelerated crop maturation and resulted in much lower than normal grain moisture at harvest. Despite the varying degrees of stress present at most sites, stalk lodging was negligible – averaging no more than 5% at any location. Extensive foliar disease (primarily gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight) was evident late in the season at several locations but impact on crop performance appeared to be limited.

Confidence in test results increases with the number of years and the number of locations in which the hybrid was tested. Data from a single test site should be avoided, especially if the site was characterized by abnormal growing conditions. Look for consistency in a hybrid's performance across a range of environmental conditions. Yield, standability, test weight, and other comparisons should be made between hybrids of similar maturity to determine those best adapted to your farm.

Acknowlegements

Acknowledgments: We thank our farmer cooperators for their contributions to the 2010 corn hybrid testing program. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Clarence Renk and Joe Davlin, OARDC Western Branch Research Station, Lynn Ault, OARDC Wooster, Matt Davis, Jim Trotter, and Frank Thayer, OARDC Northwest Branch Research Station, Jim Rich, FFA/Riverview High School, Andy Kleinschmidt, OSU-Van Wert Co. Extension, and Steve Prochaska, OSU- Crawford Co. Extension. We thank Dave Lohnes in Information Technology for his assistance in maintaining this web site.

11/2010
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