This is the time of year when seed dealers begin showing up with plot results from local strip trials. When the seed dealers show up, these are two questions to consider:
- What information can be gleaned from strip trials?
- Are there any issues from a delayed planting year with above average rainfall that should be considered?
General information
- Replicated trial data is more reliable than individual strip plot locations.
- Single location strip trial plots give us an indication of what various hybrids have done at specific locations, with that location’s specific weather and management style. That does not mean we cannot learn something from these plots. Making hybrid purchasing decisions based on single location plots only works if the weather, management style and soils are similar to the location. Rely on your local Stine representatives to help you pick the products that are suited for your area and management system.
- Replicated trial data that accounts for photosynthetic competition is better than replicated trial data that does not account for “shading.”
- A corn hybrid is a factory that converts sunlight, water and nutrients to a finished product (grain) that can then be harvested. If replicated trial data, which is generally gleaned from small plots, does not account for some hybrids being able to collect more available sunlight due to “shading,” other competitive products will return false data points that will not match field level trials of those same products. Remember Elite Trials, Stine’s unique testing system, is uniquely adapted to pick the best material over broad acres and testing sites, offering you confidence in the purchasing process.
- Compare local strip trial data to your farm and county averages to get a good idea of product performance.
- To find products that will work in your area, pick from strip trial data that consistently performs year after year rather than local yields. Remember, the plot winner isn’t always the best product. Choose products that consistently perform year to year and farm to farm.
Issues to consider in delayed planting with above average moisture
- All hybrids will probably be taller than usual due to late planting and adequate moisture.
- When corn is planted later than optimum it has a tendency to grow taller than usual. Corn grows based on growing degree units and the presence, or lack of stress inducing issues. Late planted corn accumulates growing degree units faster. With above average moisture, corn does not stress during critical phases, causing the nodes to shorten or stack on top of one another. This allows those hybrids to be taller than usual, which can lead to additional photosynthetic competition or “shading.” In an unusual year like this, be cautious when choosing a hybrid based on its height or other agronomic considerations.
- Above average moisture can cause a higher incidence and severity of disease.
- A hybrid may be good in the presence of a disease, such as Grey Leaf Spot or Northern Corn Blight; however, with increased moisture, the disease can weaken the inherent abilities of the hybrid to overcome those diseases. This can lead to a specific hybrid underperforming in strip trials where fungicides are often not applied. So again, utilize your local Stine representatives to choose the right products for your farm.