Page 22—Com Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 17,1993 allows them to collect yield information from individual fields or groups of fields planted to the same hybrids can usually estimate performance of hybrids quite well. Fields that were planted late or unusually stressed should be deleted from any comparisons. This evaluation system works best where a large number of similarly managed fields are being compared. By comparing hybrid performance on different soils, you may be able to detect differences in hybrid stability or stress tolerance. DEVELOPING A STRATEGY Another important part of hybrid selection is developing a strategy oh how to pick and place com hybrids on your farm. Part of your strategy should include some diversifica tion—use a group of hybrids, perhaps sto 10, rather than relying on just a few. These hybrids should have some differences in maturity, even if differences are relatively small. This helps to reduce the risk of weather related stress on your com crop. Mixtures of about 20 per cent short-season, 60 per cent medium-season, and 20 per cent full-season (a 10-day range in relative maturity) hybrid maturities are good compromises to avoid weather risks and allow for timely harvesting. The need for diversity in hybrid choices is probably greater in areas where drought stress is common. Another consideration should be use of new hybrids. Generally, new hybrids are best used on a limited acreage until you become confident with their performance on your farm. As you gain confidence with a ATTENTION PENNSYLVANIA CORN GROWERS IMPORTANT RESEARCH NEWS For the second year in a row, at Penn State University, Agway 797 and DeKalb 646 outyielded every other variety in that same trial. Here are the results: 1992 Listed below are the Pioneer, Funk’s and Doebler’s varieties that were entered in 1991 and 1992. All yielded less than Agway 797 and DeKalb 646. 1992 If you want to plant the best, you’ve got to buy the best. Call your nearest Agway or DeKalb Seed Corn Dealer, Reading Bone Fertilizer or Andgrow Fertilizer Salesperson, or call 1-800-338-4769 today. Considerations for selecting com hybrids (Continued from Page 21) Prepared by: Greg W. Roth, assistant professor of agronomy Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of Congress May 8 and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Legislature. L.F. Hood, Director of Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania State University. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have eqqal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by Univer sity policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all affirmative action inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801. 5M1292p52853 Variety Agway 797 DeKalb 646 Doebler 73XP Funk G-4530 Pioneer 3293 Doebler 66XP Pioneer 3295 Funk G-4543 Additional research news from the University of Delaware hybrid, use it for more of your acreage. After a hybrid becomes four to five years old, evaluate its performance carefully, because newer hybrids with improved perfor mance often have been developed by this time. A final consideration in your strategy should be to try to place hybrids on the farm as best as you can. Use some secondary characteristics of the hybrids. This is especially important if you have different soil types or tillage systems. Use hybrids with greater stability or drought tolerance on shallow soils and hybrids with high yield potential under ideal conditions on the best soils. In no-till fields, you may want to consider hybrids with better gray leaf spot resis tance or early season vigor. SUMMARY The process of selecting hybrids is integral to profitable corn production. A key component of the process is identifying characteristics that are important in your particular situation. Pay attention to details in observing the crop during the season. Learn to identify com diseases, note the maturity and other characteristics of the hybrid, and take some time to make yield comparisons. Collect any appropriate information you can on available hybrids from industry, university trials, neighbors, or other sources. Using this information, make informed hybrid choices based as much as possible on performance data. Plant the hybrids you have chosen in situations where they are best adapted. Finally, during the season, spend some time evaluating your choices. Yield 168.8 Bu. 166.6 Bu. Doebler 75X Pioneer 3527 Pioneer 3241 Pioneer 3394 Doebler 69XP Delaware Field Corn Performance Trials Agway 797 was the #1 yielding variety in the early-medium maturity class (combined sites) for both 1991 and 1992. For complete details, refer to the 1991 and 1992 Pennsylvania Commercial Hybrid Com Tests Report and the Delaware Hybrid Field Com Performance Trials Report. mm mi wm PENNSYLVANIA MASTER CORN PROWERS ASBOC., INC. Variety DeKalb 646 Agway 797 Doebler 73XP Pioneer 3295 Pioneer 3293 Pioneer 3394 Pioneer 3343 1991 Yield 118.1 Bu. 114.9 Bu. 1991 Funk G-4543 Doebler 81XP Doebler 64XP Doebler 66XP Cabway)
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