Purdue News
Purdue News
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December 14, 2001 Corn trials analyze hybrids' ability to get-up-and-growWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Seed corn companies are developing better corn hybrids. The advances, in turn, have pushed Purdue University researchers to improve their testing methods. Purdue agronomists this year conducted the most comprehensive field trials to date. The information is contained in Agronomy Bulletin No. B-806, "Performance of Commercial Dent Corn Hybrids in Indiana 2001." The 40-page report analyzes hundreds of corn hybrids in such areas as standability, yield, moisture content and test weight. The publication is designed to help farmers choose the hybrids best suited for them. Dozens of companies submitted hybrid seed for the trials. Test plots were planted at locations across Indiana, said Phil DeVillez, Purdue corn research agronomist. "In the test we have approximately 40 different companies represented, ranging from big international companies to the small mom-and-pop operations that are regional in the state. We test between 300 and 400 different hybrids," DeVillez said. "Over the last three years we've increased our plot locations from seven to 13. We're trying to get better coverage of the state's major soil types." Plots were divided almost evenly among north, central and south regional zones. Only three corn plots were planted on Purdue agricultural farms, the rest on land owned by cooperating farmers. The 2001 trials were better in several ways, DeVillez said. "We grouped our hybrids in the test by maturity," he said. "In the past it's been a high population/low population-type study and no maturity ranges. "The advantage – especially for the farmers in the north and central regions who want to look at early hybrids – is we have a test comparing the hybrids in the early maturity range. So you don't get a 114-day hybrid compared against a 108-day hybrid." DeVillez and fellow agronomy researcher William Foster also increased plant populations and switched from two-row to four-row plots. Wider plots reduce the shading effect tall hybrids have on short hybrids, providing more accurate testing, DeVillez said. Traditional hybrids performed as well as genetically modified hybrids, although Bt hybrids have made significant strides in recent performance trials, DeVillez said. Bt hybrids made up about 15 percent of the seed tested this year. "Compared to 10 years ago, the standability is strongly increasing with the Bt crops," DeVillez said. "With the Bts, you've got more insurance out there, in case you have a year where you have a lot of plant pressure. And that's true with a lot of your different genetically modified options, your high oil corn or whatever niche market you might be into. There are more options available, and the genetics is where all that is coming from." Indiana corn growers produced a state record yield average of 160 bushels per acre this season. Purdue's test plots posted some incredible numbers as well. "We were amazed at the yields at some of our locations," DeVillez said. "Especially in the south, we got the planting in early – about April 20 – and the plots caught just the right amount of rain and they had great sunshine. No weed pressure, no insect pressures. "Some of our tests averaged over 200 bushels an acre. We were really, really satisfied with the quality of the data and the performance of all the hybrids." "Performance of Commercial Dent Corn Hybrids in Indiana 2001" is available by contacting Purdue's Media Distribution Center at (888) 398-4636, or may be downloaded online. Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415; sleer@aes.purdue.edu Source: Phil DeVillez, (765) 494-0406; pld@purdue.edu Related Web site: Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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