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Pennsylvania Commercial Hybrid Corn Tests Report

Short-season hybrids (Maturity Zone 1) 1997 results

Tests of commercially available corn hybrids are conducted annually at several locations in each of the four maturity zones in Pennsylvania to provide farmers, seed producers, county extension agents, and other interested persons with information about hybrid performance. This report includes both the grain and silage results from the 1997 season.

Tables 1 and 2 contain the combined results for all locations in this zone, except as noted. The short-season hybrids were grouped in an early and a late set to limit the range of maturities. The range has been quite wide even in years when the total heat units were adequate. We anticipate that this will permit a better comparison of performance within each group. Thus, those reported in Table 1 are the combined results for the early group and those in Table 2 for the late group. A two-year summary of results for hybrids tested in both 1996 and 1997 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 corn. For the grain tests, hybrids were planted in paired-row plots of 1/500 of an acre. Each row was overplanted—36 kernels per row—and thinned when the corn was 12-18 inches tall. The final population was either 24,000 or 26,000 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. Silage results are reported as actual field yield in tons per acre, calculated on the basis of 65 percent moisture, tons of dry matter per acre, and moisture content. Disease ratings were based on a scale of 0.5 to 5.0 progressing from little or no disease to premature death.

Growing conditions

For this zone soil moisture and temperature were below normal during May. Planting was begun May 5 and completed May 22. Heat units tended to be lower than normal and moisture levels were below normal throughout early summer with nearly adequate rainfall after late July for most areas in this zone. Thus, ear and grain development were behind normal most of the season. Harvesting in Zone 1 was completed by mid-November. Late season temperatures and rainfall allowed the crop to "catch up," and nearly normal yields were obtained.

Diseases, insects, and other pests

Hybrids grown at the Centre County location were inoculated with the fungus causing northern leaf blight (NLB). The dry weather in July prevented the expected disease spread until late August and early September. Disease ratings were made in mid-September and the results are reported in Tables 1 and 2. Only trace amounts of leaf diseases were observed at other locations in this zone. Stalk rot was not a problem at any location. Birds and animals were not a problem at any location. Corn insect pressures were light to not apparent at all locations.




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.




Cooperators and locations

Short-season hybrids were evaluated with the cooperation of the following: Frank Sankey, Clearfield County; Gerald Yahner, Cambria County; Clarence Beck, Clarion County; Frank Hartley, Lycoming County; Rynd Farm, Crawford County; and Penn State Agronomy Farm, Centre County.

Results of the tests for short-season, early medium-season, late medium-season, and late-season hybrids are available as separate reports from county offices of Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Members of the county-based extension staff assisted in conducting these tests. Their efforts were essential to the successful completion of the trials and were greatly appreciated.


Prepared by L. D. Hoffman, J. E. Ayers, W. R. Haas and J. Shaffer.

The tables in this report may be reproduced only in their entirety.

Early Entries

Table 1. Short-season hybrid performances (Maturity Zone 1). Combined Penn State Commercial Early Entries (average of six locations). Data under Location Means indicate counties where values were obtained.

BRAND-HYBRID PERCENT-OF-CHECK %H20
GRAIN		 BU/A
GRAIN		 %
ERECT		 NLB
RATING
H20 YIELD ERECT
DOEBLER'S 23XA 88.7 83.4 101.5 23.6 95.2 98.8 3.7
GOLDEN HARVEST H2227 91.4 79.0 99.5 24.3 90.2 96.8 2.8
DOEBLER'S 322X 92.5 92.9 101.4 24.6 106.1 98.7 1.2
DOEBLER'S 252X 94.0 102.4 100.5 25.0 116.9 97.8 0.1
CARGILL 3677 95.1 99.8 101.0 25.3 114.0 98.3 1.0
EASTLAND E334 95.1 92.9 101.1 25.3 106.1 98.4 1.5
CHEMGRO 5369 95.1 95.9 101.5 25.3 109.5 98.8 1.5
BEACHLEY HARDY HT4310 95.5 102.5 102.0 25.4 117.1 99.2 2.2
GOLDEN HARVEST H2265 95.5 83.0 99.3 25.4 94.8 96.6 3.8
DEKALB DK443 95.5 103.6 101.1 25.4 118.3 98.4 2.2
NC+ 1487 95.9 115.4 101.3 25.5 131.8 98.6 0.8
GARST 8830 96.6 102.4 100.8 25.7 116.9 98.1 1.3
AGWAY AG285 97.0 118.0 101.3 25.8 134.7 98.6 1.0
PIONEER 3752 97.7 107.5 99.7 26.0 122.8 97.0 1.5
DEKALB DK446 98.5 106.6 100.2 26.2 121.7 97.5 2.3
FUNK'S G-4172 98.9 85.6 96.5 26.3 97.8 93.9 1.2
EASTLAND E350 99.6 105.3 101.6 26.5 120.2 98.9 1.0
DEKALB DK474 100.4 103.2 99.6 26.7 117.9 96.9 1.7
EASTLAND E540 103.8 111.7 102.5 27.6 127.6 99.7 1.0
NC+ 1991 103.8 91.8 100.6 27.6 104.8 97.9 2.0
MEANS 96.6 99.1 100.6 25.7 113.2 97.9 1.8
LSD (.05) 0.7 8.7 1.9 .9
LOCATION MEANS
Clearfield 23.7 97.1 98.3
Cambria 30.6 136.6 96.6
Clarion 28.1 102.6 99.6
Crawford 25.1 106.8 99.7
Lycoming 25.1 105.8 95.3
Centre 21.5 130.5 98.2 1.8

Late Entries

Table 2. Short-season hybrid performances (Maturity Zone 1). Combined Penn State Commercial Late Entries (average of six locations). Data under Location Means indicate counties where values were obtained.

BRAND-HYBRID PERCENT-OF-CHECK %H2O
GRAIN		 BU/A
GRAIN		 %
ERECT		 NLB
RATING
H20 YIELD ERECT
FUNK'S G-4172 94.9 95.2 98.1 26.3 111.8 96.7 1.3
PIONEER 3752 96.4 104.0 97.7 26.7 122.1 96.3 1.3
AGWAY AG388 96.8 101.1 100.3 26.8 118.7 98.9 0.7
PIONEER 37M81 97.1 106.8 99.3 26.9 125.4 97.9 0.8
NORTHRUP KING 4640 98.6 109.4 100.5 27.3 128.4 99.1 1.2
CARGILL 3677 99.6 92.2 100.7 27.6 108.4 99.3 1.0
NC+ 2395 99.6 104.3 100.8 27.6 122.5 99.4 1.0
AGRIPRO AP9300 100.0 104.6 100.7 27.7 122.8 99.3 0.7
DOEBLER'S 434XP 100.0 87.1 99.9 27.7 102.3 98.5 1.3
DEKALB DK474 100.7 102.9 99.9 27.9 120.8 98.5 1.1
CARGILL 3911 100.7 106.3 99.6 27.9 124.8 98.2 0.8
FUNK'S 4286 100.7 77.4 100.3 27.9 90.9 98.9 0.5
NORTHRUP KING 4424 100.7 106.0 101.1 27.9 124.5 99.7 1.0
DOEBLER'S 480-3 100.7 97.4 101.0 27.9 114.3 99.6 1.0
MYCOGEN 2620 101.1 100.6 100.8 28.0 118.1 99.4 1.3
TERRA TR1026 101.4 109.4 100.9 28.1 128.4 99.5 0.9
DOEBLER'S 510-3 102.2 107.7 100.9 28.3 126.4 99.5 1.1
NC+ 1991 102.5 95.3 100.0 28.4 111.9 98.6 1.7
TERRA E987 102.9 98.7 100.4 28.5 115.9 99.0 1.0
EASTLAND E540 104.0 110.3 101.2 28.8 129.5 99.8 0.9
DEKALB DK527 106.5 109.0 101.0 29.5 128.0 99.6 0.8
MYCOGEN 2598 106.5 117.5 99.4 29.5 137.9 98.0 1.2
MEANS 100.7 103.3 100.2 27.9 121.3 98.8 1.0
LSD (.05) 1.0 9.1 1.2 0.6
LOCATION MEANS
Clearfield 25.9 111.6 98.5
Cambria 34.2 128.6 97.5
Clarion 29.8 105.9 99.8
Crawford 27.7 123.5 99.9
Lycoming 27.0 114.0 98.5
Centre 22.8 144.4 98.5 1.0

Two-Year Average Performance

Table 3. Short-season hybrids mean performance, 1996-97 (Maturity Zone 1).

BRAND-HYBRID PERCENT-OF-CHECKS H2O
GRAIN		 BU/A
GRAIN		 %
ERECT
H2O YIELD ERECT
DOEBLER'S 23XA 86.2 78.4 98.4 23.3 94.1 94.6
DOEBLER'S 252X 91.1 93.3 95.0 24.6 112.0 91.3
DOEBLER'S 322X 91.6 88.8 96.8 24.7 106.5 93.1
DEKALB DK443 92.7 101.8 100.6 25.0 122.1 96.6
EASTLAND E334 94.0 94.8 98.7 25.4 113.8 94.8
FUNK'S G-4172 96.4 92.7 98.6 26.0 111.2 94.8
CARGILL 3677 97.7 98.5 102.6 26.4 118.2 98.6
DEKALB DK446 98.3 104.1 99.2 26.5 124.9 95.3
DOEBLER'S 434XP 98.0 95.8 97.7 26.5 115.0 93.9
PIONEER 3752 98.0 106.2 99.1 26.5 127.4 95.2
DEKALB DK474 99.5 101.9 100.7 26.9 122.3 96.8
NORTHRUP KING 4640 99.6 107.5 101.7 26.9 129.0 97.8
AGWAY AG388 100.1 100.7 102.3 27.0 120.8 98.4
NORTHRUP KING 4424 101.0 109.6 101.8 27.3 131.5 97.8
DEKALB DK485 101.4 109.2 97.7 27.4 131.1 93.9
NC+ 1991 101.5 93.8 99.7 27.4 112.5 95.8
EASTLAND E540 104.8 107.3 102.4 28.3 128.8 98.4
DEKALB DK527 108.7 107.1 101.2 29.4 128.5 97.3
MEANS 97.8 99.5 99.7 26.4 119.4 95.8

Silage Entries

Table 4. Silage performances of short-season hybrids (Maturity Zone 1).

BRAND-HYBRID YIELD
(T/A)		 % H2O
PLANT		 DRY MAT
(T/A)
EASTLAND E390L 19.3 66.7 6.5
BEACHLEY HARDY HT4310 15.6 67.2 5.1
DEKALB DK446 16.9 67.2 5.5
PIONEER 37M81 16.4 67.8 5.4
CARGILL X3611 19.1 68.1 6.0
DOEBLER'S 340-3 15.6 68.2 5.0
GOLDEN HARVEST H2382 15.5 68.7 4.9
DOEBLER'16.9S 55XP 16.5 69.0 5.3
CARGILL 3711FQ 15.4 69.5 4.7
DEKALB DK546 17.6 70.1 5.2
MYCOGEN TMF106 18.7 71.9 5.3
MEANS 16.3 68.5 5.1
LSD (.05) 2.7 2.5 1.0


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