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2021 Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program Results

Filed Under:
Publication Number: P3695
View as PDF: P3695.pdf

Coordinator: Dr. Erick Larson Extension Associate: Nolan Stapleton

MSU Extension Supervisors: Andy Braswell, Jimbo Burkhalter, Dr. Bill Burdine, Alex Deason, Ty Jones, Kyle Lewis, Dr. Justin McCoy, Reid Nevins, Michael Pruden, Tracy Robertson, Dr. Mark Shankle, James Shannon, Dr. Charlie Stokes, and Drew Wilson

Grower Cooperators: Brown Farms, Dantzler Pilkinton and Phillips Farm, Dunn Farms, Guedon Farms, Harlow Farms, David Hey, Hopeso Farms, Long Lake Farms, Danny Mashburn, Murphy Farms, Parker Brother’s Farm, Matthew Poe, Pushen and Pullen Farms, Shellmound Farms, and Steve Skelton

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, particularly if the soil is moist and soft. Thus, the entire stalk leans or completely falls to ground level, often dislodging part of the root system from the soil. This may promote a “domino effect,” causing lodging in sizable portions of a field. Root lodging normally occurs as plants approach physiological maturity, since the mass of the plant is greatest at this time. Root lodging may considerably hinder harvest efficiency because plants lay nearly flat on the ground and are often partially uprooted from the soil, making stalks difficult to gather and flow into a combine.

Stalk Integrity: This is a characterization of the plant’s ability to maintain physical integrity after physiological maturity. Poor stalk integrity typically appears as weak or broken stalks, particularly above the ear, and shriveled, shredded, or dislodged leaves. Late-season stress and adverse weather often promote plant deterioration during the time between physiological maturity and harvest.

Greensnap: This is a relative rating of resistance to stalk breakage during vegetative development stages. Greensnap is more likely to occur 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. Breaks normally occur on the stalk below where the ear should develop. Thus, 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, Curvularia leaf spot, and southern corn leaf blight were rated based on degree of disease presence.

Yield Components: Corn grain yield is determined by the total number of kernels produced and kernel weight. Kernel number is the number of kernel rows an ear produces and the number of kernels per row. Each of these traits are determined during different growing stages. Kernel row number is determined during late vegetative stages and is the first yield component determined by the plant. 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 largely 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.

2021 Grain Yield Summary (bushels per acre)

Irrigated Locations

Brand

Hybrid

Morgan City

Inverness

Shaw

Schlater

MSU*

Vance

Greenwood

Friars Point

Average yield**

AgriGold

A6544

277

238

195

251

250

195

190

242

234 CDE

AgriGold

A645-16

263

260

205

256

246

198

200

257

238 ABC

AgriGold

A6659

276

240

204

242

251

207

191

276

239 ABC

CROPLAN

5678

278

243

205

256

253

209

211

248

241 AB

DEKALB

DKC65-99

273

252

207

257

253

217

192

260

242 A

DEKALB

DKC69-99

265

247

208

252

243

204

197

248

235 CD

DEKALB

DKC70-27

268

241

198

254

251

215

201

267

240 ABC

Dyna-Gro

D54VC34

274

232

203

247

244

190

169

233

228 EF

Dyna-Gro

D55VC80

262

259

188

247

246

199

194

251

234 CDE

Great Heart

HT-7337

264

226

188

229

234

194

188

238

223 F

Local Seed

LC1707

266

228

205

249

237

197

201

258

232 DE

Local Seed

LC1898

259

243

202

243

242

212

210

256

235 BCD

Innvictis

A1857

268

241

197

239

233

205

202

247

230 DE

Pioneer

P1870

268

231

193

242

249

213

194

258

235 CD

Progeny

PGY 2118

273

240

211

246

243

211

189

238

234 CDE

Location avg.

 

269

241

201

247

245

204

195

252

234

*Trials at MSU were grown with three replications of hybrid treatments.

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

Irrigated Cultural Information

Location

Soil Type

Planting Date

Morgan City

Dundee loam

12-Mar

Inverness

Forestdale silt loam

7-Apr

Shaw

Alligator silty clay

21-Apr

Schlater

Dubbs loam

13-Apr

MSU

Marietta sandy loam

16-Apr

Vance

Dundee silt loam

20-Apr

Greenwood

Adler silt loam

28-Apr

Friars Point

Dundee silty clay

20-Apr

2021 Plant Characteristic Ratings

Irrigated Locations

Brand

Hybrid

Days to Tassel

% Grain Moisture

Plant Ht (feet, 10ths)

Ear Ht (feet, 10ths)

Root Strength

Stalk Strength

Stalk Integrity

Southern Rust

Resistance

Curvularia Leaf Spot Resistance

Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Resistance

Test Wt (lbs/bu)

Kernel Rows

Kernels per row

Seed Wt (g/250)

AgriGold

A6544

66

17.8

9.0

3.9

Medium

Med-Low

Med-Low

Med-High

High

High

58.3

16.1

32.0

90.6

AgriGold

A645-16

67

18.7

9.2

4.2

High

Med-High

High

Medium

Medium

Med-Low

59.2

15.6

28.4

96.4

AgriGold

A6659

68

18.5

9.1

4.1

High

Med-High

High

Med-High

Medium

Medium

59.6

14.4

32.0

97.2

CROPLAN

5678

66

18.2

8.7

3.8

High

Medium

Medium

Med-Low

Med-Low

High

60.1

15.5

33.2

94.7

DEKALB

DKC65-99

67

18.1

8.4

3.7

High

High

High

High

Med-Low

Medium

59.6

16.7

30.5

93.2

DEKALB

DKC69-99

67

19.0

9.0

4.3

Med-High

Med-Low

Med-High

Med-Low

Med-High

Med-High

61.0

15.5

28.9

95.0

DEKALB

DKC70-27

68

20.1

9.2

4.2

Med-High

Medium

Med-High

Med-High

Med-High

Med-Low

59.6

16.8

30.2

93.0

Dyna-Gro

D54VC34

67

18.3

9.2

4.1

Med-High

Low

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

59.7

15.0

33.0

100.3

Dyna-Gro

D55VC80

67

19.1

9.1

4.2

Med-Low

Med-High

Medium

Med-High

Med-High

Med-Low

58.9

15.4

31.1

96.5

Great Heart

HT-7337

67

18.3

9.2

4.1

Med-High

Med-High

Med-Low

Medium

Medium

High

58.9

14.6

33.7

86.5

Local Seed

LC1707

68

19.2

8.8

4.1

Med-Low

Medium

Medium

Med-Low

Med-Low

Medium

61.1

16.8

30.4

88.2

Local Seed

LC1898

67

17.8

8.9

4.0

High

High

High

Medium

Medium

Medium

60.4

15.6

28.7

97.4

Innvictis

A1857

67

17.5

8.7

4.0

Med-High

High

Med-Low

Med-High

Medium

Low

60.4

16.5

31.1

91.0

Pioneer

P1870

68

19.8

9.2

4.2

Low

Med-High

Med-Low

Medium

Medium

Medium

59.6

16.1

34.3

86.5

Progeny

PGY 2118

68

18.9

8.9

4.1

Med-Low

Med-Low

Medium

Med-Low

Med-Low

Med-Low

60.9

16.9

30.5

88.4

Average

 

67

18.6

9.0

4.1

           

59.8

15.8

31.2

93.0

2021 Grain Yield Summary (bushels per acre)

Dryland Locations

Brand

Hybrid

Canton

Natchez

Calhoun City

Raymond

Greenwood

Artesia Low Pop

Artesia High Pop

Pontotoc Exp Sta

NMREC

MSU*

Pontotoc

Shellmound

Strong

Average Yield**

AgriGold

A6544

223

212

197

185

183

220

233

173

172

221

175

163

212

201 AB

AgriGold

A645-16

172

226

186

210

172

216

234

142

183

224

175

167

206

198 ABC

AgriGold

A6659

114

201

200

186

173

212

229

168

187

224

174

166

218

193 ABCD

CROPLAN

5335

188

196

197

180

176

197

237

158

179

207

183

165

215

193 ABCD

DEKALB

DKC65-99

143

234

204

206

161

211

243

164

193

225

221

167

229

204 A

DEKALB

DKC68-69

90

229

193

197

191

212

241

176

198

229

182

156

218

198 ABC

DEKALB

DKC69-99

92

225

198

178

202

214

239

163

199

229

197

168

224

199 AB

Dyna-Gro

D54VC34

213

200

198

188

155

208

235

163

188

214

194

180

214

198 ABC

Great Heart

HT-7425

193

188

177

166

171

185

209

158

177

208

149

166

198

184 D

Local Seed

LC1307

185

209

194

169

175

198

223

160

178

207

140

176

212

189 BCD

Local Seed

LC1898

81

219

191

196

179

210

217

157

182

220

196

182

207

192 ABCD

Innvictis

A1857

133

201

193

160

176

207

224

172

180

208

174

156

203

187 CD

Pioneer

P1464

209

208

196

174

152

208

230

175

170

225

169

155

205

195 ABCD

Progeny

PGY 8116

158

195

183

159

170

201

216

161

175

213

137

174

191

184 D

Progeny

PGY 9114

208

179

200

202

171

211

232

169

165

226

182

179

203

199 AB

Location Average

 

160

208

194

184

174

207

229

164

182

219

177

168

210

194

*Trials at MSU were grown with three replications of hybrid treatments.

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

Dryland Cultural Information

Location

Soil Type

Planting Date

Canton

Loring silt loam

7-Apr

Natchez

Convent silt loam

13-Mar

Calhoun City

Falaya sandy loam

21-Apr

Raymond

Loring silt loam

29-Apr

Greenwood

Adler silt loam

28-Apr

Artesia Low Pop

Okolona silty clay

21-Apr

Artesia High Pop

Okolona silty clay

21-Apr

Pontotoc Exp Sta

Falkner silt loam

19-Apr

NMREC

Leeper silty clay

5-Apr

MSU

Leeper silty clay loam

15-Apr

Pontotoc

Iuka sandy loam

17-Apr

Shellmound

Dubbs loam

28-Apr

Strong

Vaiden silty clay

22-Apr

2021 Plant Characteristic Ratings

Dryland Locations

Brand

Hybrid

Days to Tassel

% Grain Moisture

Plant Ht (feet, 10ths)

Ear Ht (feet, 10ths)

Stalk Strength

Stalk Integrity

Greensnap Resistance

Southern Rust

Resistance

Curvularia Leaf Spot Resistance

Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Resistance

Test Wt (lb/bu)

Kernel Rows

Kernels per row

Seed Wt (g/250)

AgriGold

A6544

66

16.9

8.7

3.8

Medium

Medium

High

Medium

High

High

58.3

16.1

35.1

87.7

AgriGold

A645-16

67

17.0

8.8

4.0

High

High

High

Med-High

Med-High

Low

59.0

15.9

30.7

95.5

AgriGold

A6659

68

17.6

8.7

3.9

High

High

Low

Med-High

Medium

Medium

59.4

14.6

32.8

95.3

CROPLAN

5335

66

16.5

8.5

3.7

Medium

Med-High

High

Medium

Medium

Low

59.5

16.8

30.8

91.0

DEKALB

DKC65-99

67

16.7

8.3

3.6

High

High

Med-Low

High

Medium

Medium

59.9

16.9

30.0

92.5

DEKALB

DKC68-69

68

18.4

9.0

4.1

Med-High

High

Low

Med-High

Medium

Med-High

60.5

16.3

30.4

96.8

DEKALB

DKC69-99

68

16.5

8.8

4.2

Medium

Med-High

Low

Med-Low

Med-High

High

60.8

16.3

30.3

92.0

Dyna-Gro

D54VC34

67

15.4

8.9

3.9

Med-Low

Low

Med-High

Medium

Med-Low

Low

59.5

15.1

30.9

94.0

Great Heart

HT-7425

67

17.0

8.8

4.0

High

Med-High

High

Med-Low

Med-High

Med-High

58.8

15.1

33.6

92.0

Local Seed

LC1307

65

15.5

8.5

3.9

Medium

Medium

Med-High

Low

Medium

High

58.5

15.8

32.4

89.7

Local Seed

LC1898

67

16.3

8.8

4.0

High

High

Low

Medium

Med-High

Med-High

60.9

16.2

29.8

98.5

Innvictis

A1857

67

16.1

8.5

4.1

High

Medium

Med-Low

Med-High

Med-Low

Low

60.3

16.5

29.9

86.6

Pioneer

P1464

66

16.2

9.1

4.2

Low

Low

High

Med-Low

High

Med-High

58.9

15.8

34.7

86.7

Progeny

PGY 8116

68

16.3

8.8

4.2

Low

Med-Low

Med-Low

Med-Low

Med-High

Med-Low

61.0

17.4

32.2

86.3

Progeny

PGY 9114

65

15.9

8.6

3.7

Low

Med-Low

High

Medium

Low

High

60.4

15.2

34.5

91.6

Average

 

67

16.5

8.7

4.0

           

59.7

16.0

31.9

91.7


Publication 3695 (POD-05-22)

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

Department: Plant and Soil Sciences
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Authors

Portrait of Dr. Erick J. Larson
Extension/Research Professor
Associate Agronomist/Specialist - Corn, Grain Sorghum and Small Grains

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Portrait of Dr. Erick J. Larson
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