2007 Grain Corn Hybrid Variety Performance Strip Trial

Powell Research and Extension Center

 

Mike Killen, UW Powell Research and Extension Center;

Sandy Frost, UW Cooperative Extension Service

 

The University of Wyoming, Powell Research and Extension Center in cooperation with local seed corn dealers conducted a study designed to evaluate the corn grain yield and quality characteristics of ten varieties. Varieties were planted in 0.64 acre strips and managed using the best management practices for the soil and growing conditions at the University of Wyoming Research and Extension Center in Powell, Wyoming during 2007.

 

Materials and Methods

The soil was a Garland clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic; Typic Haplargid)and had a cropping history of mixed grass and alfalfa hay (2006-1995).  The study area was prepared for planting by fall plowing, disking, roller harrowing and leveling.  Fertilizer was applied on 14 May, at the rate of 120 pounds N and 50 pounds P2O5 per acre, in the form of urea (46-0-0) and diammonium phosphate (11-52-0). On 15 May, ten corn varieties were established in plots 12 rows by 1280 ft feet using a John Deere Maximerge 7200 row crop planter with double disk openers set at a row spacing of 22 inches. Seeding depth was 1.5 inches, and the seeding rate was 34,000 plants per acre. Stand counts were taken on 22 June.  Weeds were controlled by one post application of Glyphosate (Roundup) + AMS broadcast at 1 quart per acre on 9 June.  A sidedress application of UAN 32% was applied at a rate of 100 pounds N per acre on 20 June.  Furrow irrigations were 21 May, 29 June, 10 July, 18 July, 28 July, 13 August, 27 August and 24 September.  Plots, 15 ft (8 rows) by 1263 ft were harvested using an IH 1440 Axial flow combine equipped with an 8 row 863 corn head on 8 November.    Results are presented in Table 1.

 

Table 1.   Agronomic Performance of Grain Corn Hybrid Varieties at Powell Research and Extension Center, 2007.

 

Variety Company Day Units Moisture Yield Test Wt Stand
    RM growing
degree		 % bu/acre
@15.5%		 lb/bu plants/acre
3975928 (DKC43-31) Dekalb 93 2330 13.9 179 53.4 33864
3282238 (DKC41-64) Dekalb 91 2300 14.8 166 53.0 33864
2801RB Croplan 89 2300 13.3 156 51.7 33270
H-6347GT Golden Harvest 86   12.5 155 53.6 33864
L-6H76Bt/RR Golden Harvest 90   12.7 155 53.0 32676
229RR2-BT Croplan 80 2000 13 152 56.8 33270
H-6480GT Golden Harvest 89   12.6 151 51.6 33270
238RR2/BT Croplan 85 2180 12.9 148 53.0 33270
294RR2/BT Croplan 90 2310 14.7 138 52.3 33270
L-6H07RR Golden Harvest 95   13.9 120 50.6 36241
Average       13.43 152 52.9 33686

 

Results and Discussion

Cool weather following planting delayed development for several weeks.  The remainder of the growing season was excellent.  A frost, 29 deg F, on 9 September killed the upper leaves of the plants.  A significant amount of header loss was observed at harvest.  This may be due to dryer than normal grain at harvest which averaged 13.4%.

 

Acknowledgements and Contacts

The authors wish to thank the corn seed companies for their help and cooperation with this project.   Cooperators included Curt Droogsma, Croplan Genetics; Joe Bridges, Simplot(Golden Harvest); Doug Ryerson, Monsanto(Dekalb) and John Hjelvik, Hjelvik Seeds(Dekalb).