Page 32—Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 13,1993
(Continued from Page 31)
growing seasons is given in Table 3. The results for hybrids entered
in the silage performance test are given in Table 4.
Procedures
This testing program was available to any producer of hybrid seed
com. For the grain tests, hybrids were planted in paired-row plots of
1/500 of an acre. Each row was overplanted—34 kernels per row,
and thinned to a standard count of 48 plants per plot when the com
was 12-18 inches tall. The final population was 24,000 plants per
acre. Silage plots were 1/1,000 acre in size, consisting of one row
overplanted to 38 kernels and thinned to a final population of
28,000 plants per acre. All entries were replicated three times in
each test.
Test plots were planted with modified mechanical planters.
Grain-test plots were harvested with a self-propelled combine
equipped with electronic instrumentation for determining weight
and moisture. Silage plots were harvested with a forage harvester.
Grain yields are reported as bushels per acre while grain moisture
and erect plants are reported as percentages. Shelled grain yields
were standardized at 15.5 percent grain moisture. Percentage of
checks for each hybrid was based on the mean of five check hybrids
and calculated for moisture, yield, and erect plants. Data such as
plant height, ear height, and leaf disease ratings were taken in the
field. Disease ratings were based on a scale of 0.5 to 5.0,
progressing from little or no disease to premature death. Silage
results are given as actual field yield in tons per acre, calculated on
the basis of 65 percent moisture, tons of dry matter per acre, and
percentage of water in the plants.
Growing conditions
Temperature was below normal while soil moisture tended to be
above normal throughout the growing season. The Somerset
location was planted May 4, but germination and emergence were
adversely affected by a herbicide. The plot had to be abandoned
because of very poor stands and retarded plant growth. The other
locations were planted from May 11 to 22. Maturity was delayed
because heat units were below normal throughout the growing
season. All locations had adequate to excessive moisture throughout
the season. Harvesting at all locations was delayed because the grain
moisture levels remained too high. Grain moisture level at both the
V
Maturity Zone 1
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Clarion and Erie County locations was so high that our on-the
combine moisture testing equipment could not give a readout. At the
Clarion County location the grain was so wet it gummed up the
combine screens. Snow cover at the Erie County location also was a
deterrent to harvesting. Thus, data for these two locations were not
included in this report.
Diseases, insects, and other pests
Hybrids grown at a Centre County location were inoculated with the
fungi causing northern leaf blight (NLB) and northern leaf spot
(NLS). Ratings were made for northern leaf spot and are given in
Tables 1 and 2. These diseases were not a problem at the other
locations. Some bacterial leaf blight was noted but did not create a
significant problem. Also, some stalk and ear. rot was observed.
Com borer damage tended to be low at most sites; however, the
incidence of infestation was higher at the Centre County location.
Animal and bird damages varied, but were most severe at the
Clearfield County location where raccoon, deer, and bear damages
were noted.
Interpretation of results
Least significant differences (LSD) is the tool used to determine if
two average values are actually different statistically. The difference
between two hybrids must exceed the LSD value to be considered
significantly different. Example for yield; LSD = 8.1 Bu/A; Hybrid
X = 120.0 Bu/A; Hybrid Y = 105.0 Bu/A; 120.0 -105 = 15.0 Bu/A
difference. Since the difference between Hybrid X and Y (15.0 Bu/
A), exceeded the LSD (8.1 Bu/A), hybrid X was higher yielding due
to hybrid superiority and not simply as a result of uncontrolled
environmental factors.
Table 1 Short-season hybrid performances (Maturity Zone 1) Combined Penn State Commercial Advanced Entries (average of three
locations) Data under Location Means indicate counties where values were obtained
BRAND-HYBRID
AGWAYAG26I 92.8 84 9 97.0 21 9 110 1 85.9 77.7 31./ 18
GOBBLER'S 29XA 95.7 78.7 105 6 22 6 102.1 93 5 77.0 33.0 22
HALSEY HlBB 98 4 954 107.8 23.2 123.7 95.4 79 7 35.7 3 0
GOBBLER'S 46XE 1001 104 7 105 2 236 135 8 93 1 84 0 34.7 1 7
AGWAY AG 310 1008 108 8 93 7 238 141 0 82 9 80 7 40 7 1 7
AGWAY AG 295 100 8 923 103 1 238 119 7 912 89 0 38.3 3 2
FUNK’S G-4106 101 1 98 3 98 1 23.9 127 5 86 6 81 3 36.3 2 3
PIONEER 3921 101.9 765 108 3 24 1 99 2 95 8 77 0 360 1 5
GOBBLER'S 35XP 102 9 921 106 5 24.3 119 5 96 0 78 3 35 3 2 7
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IN AGRICULTURE
Will YOU
Nutrient Management Plan
PENNSYLVANIA MASTER CORN GROWERS ASSOC.. INC.
ADVANCE ENTRIES
%HjO lU/A % HEIGHT (IN) NIS
GRAIN GRAIN ERECT RIANT EAR RATING
PERCENT-OF-CHECKS
HjO YIELD ERECT
(Turn to Page 34)
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