Variety Testing Hybrid Testing Dr. Chad Lee Grain Crops Extension Specialist (859) Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Chad Lee © 2004

Seed Costs The difference in seed cost between a high yielding variety and a low yielding variety can be as little as: Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky a. $10 b. $0 c. $15 d. $20

Differences Between Hybrids 2003 Kentucky Corn Performance Tests <112 RM RM>118 RM High (bu/A) Low (bu/A) Diff. (bu/A) Price ($) / Bu $2.20 Diff. ($) / A $87.12$106.04$60.28 By 100 acres $8,712$10,604$6,028 By 500 acres $43,560$53,020$30,140 By 1,000 acres $87,120$106,040$60,280 Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

Differences Between Soybean Varieties 2003 Kentucky Soybean Performance Tests MG IIIMG IVMG V High (bu/A) Low (bu/A) Diff. (bu/A) Price ($) / Bu $5.80 Diff. ($) / A $62.64$71.92$ By 100 acres $6,264$7,192$10,324 By 500 acres $31,320$35,960$51,620 By 1,000 acres $62,640$71,920$103,240

Corn Hybrid Improvement Kentucky Average Yield (bu/A) <112 RM RM>118 RM 2003 (Top) (Top) Difference Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Based on Kentucky Corn Hybrid Performance Tests

Soybean Variety Improvement Kentucky Average Yield (bu/A) MG IIIMG IVMG V 2003 (Top) (Top) Difference Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Based on Kentucky Soybean Performance Tests

Performance Trials Goal: Identify varieties/hybrids with high yield potential. Method: Assess all entries as fairly and as unbiased as possible over multiple environments. – No one can predict the weather for next season – Multiple environments are the best method: look at yield stability Strengths: Fair, unbiased test. Limitations: No test is 100% accurate. Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

Randomized placement of hybrids, replications at each site Rep 3HYB DHYB CHYB AHYB EHYB B Rep 2HYB BHYB AHYB EHYB CHYB D Rep 1HYB AHYB BHYB CHYB DHYB E Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

Replications Make a Difference TrialsSites Reps / Site Total Reps Two Years Three Years KY Soybean Trials KY Corn Trials KY Wheat Trials Demo Trials11123 Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

Selecting Hybrids: significant differences Yield is affected by the interaction of environment and genetics Several hybrids/varieties may have slightly different yields. But those differences may due to environment (variability in the field). Significant difference helps separate yield differences generated by variability in the field from difference in genetics Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

11 Table 5M-1YR. Annual Summary, 2006, Medium Hybrids ( Days to Maturity), All Locations YIELD BU/AC BRAND/HYBRID2006BRAND/HYBRID2006 PIONEER 33R81(YGCB/RR2)197.0*AX * DEKALB DKC63-46(RR2/YGCB)196.5*ADLER 8215YGCB/RR192.4* CROWS 5131B196.4*TRISLER 5337RRCB191.7* CROPLAN GENETICS 731HX/LL195.2*CAVERNDALE CF * BELLE 1533Y195.0*BECKS 7916CBRR190.6* PIONEER BRAND 33Y *DYNA-GRO 57P * DEKALB DKC64-81(YGCB)194.9*AGRIGOLD A * GARST 8350YG1194.3*SO. STATES 777RR2YGPL190.2* PIONEER 33P70(YGCB/RR2)194.1*GOLDEN HARVEST L-9H63BT190.2* DEKALB DKC66-23(RR2/YGCB)193.9*SEED CONSULTANTS SC11H * AGRIGOLD A6633BT193.5*SEED CONSULTANTS SC11BR * BECKS 5816CBRR192.5* MEDIUM AVERAGE185.3 LSD (0.10)8.1 TOP YIELDS

Questions Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

Corn Dr. Chad Lee Grain Crops Extension Specialist (859) Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Chad Lee © 2004

Corn Hybrid Traits RR: Roundup Ready: glyphosate resistance CL: Clearfield: Lightning resistance LL: Liberty Link: glufosinate resistance YGCB: YieldGard Corn Borer: corn borer resistance YGRW: YieldGard Root Worm: root worm resistance HX: Herculex: corn borer, cutworm, armyworm, earworm resistance Bt: corn borer resistance YG1: YieldGard: corn borer resistance Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky

One Acre 1 acre = 43,560 square feet 1/100 th of an acre = square feet 1/1,000 th of an acre = square feet Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky ft (17 ft 5 inches) 2.5 ft 1/1000 th acre: in corn rows that are 30-inches (2.5 ft) wide: Row Width (inche s) Length of Row to Count No. of Plants in Row Mult. Factor Plants per acre 4013’ 1”X 1, ’ 9”x 1, ’ 6”x 1, ’ 5”x 1, ’ 2”x 1, ’ 10”x 1,000

Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Population APopulation B Hybrid AxB Seed Population A Population B Farmer Plants Hybrid AxB Seed Population A Farmer Plants Population A Seed Open-Pollinated Corn Hybrid Corn

Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Open-Pollinated Corn Hybrid Corn Lower vigor Lower pest tolerance Lower stress tolerance Lower yields Lower seed costs Higher vigor Higher pest tolerance Higher stress tolerance Higher yields Higher seed costs

Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Open-Pollinated Corn Hybrid Corn ,000 plants/A State Average Yield: 30 bu/acre (1,680 lbs/acre = 0.84 tons/acre) ,000 plants/A State Average Yield: 140 bu/acre (7,840 lbs/acre = 3.92 tons/acre)

Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky Corn Yield In Kentucky (1930 to 2000) Corn Yield (Bushels per Acre) Corn Yield (Total Bushels x 1000) Bushels/Acre Bushels (x1000) Year

Questions Grain Crops Extension University of Kentucky