Impact of 2012 Drought & Corn Production Research Update Agronomy In-service January 4, 2013 Peter Thomison Horticulture and Crop Science Ohio State University

Progress of 2012 Corn Crop % complete 4/15/219/2111/26 Planting Harves t = Normal = 2012 Start & Finish Dates 79% of the corn crop was planted by May 7

Precipitation Across Ohio, April 1-Sept 30, 2012.

GDD Accumulation across Ohio, April 1-Sept 30, 2012.

Drought Stressed Corn - Early Vegetative Stages- P. R. Thomison, OSU B-1-102

“Floppy Corn” Caused by Rootless Corn

Drought stress in Corn NW Ohio late June 2012

Drought stress in corn. Columbus, OH late June 2012

Drought stressed corn near tassel emergence

Drought Effects on Development

“Nubbin Ears” due to drought stress in Corn NW Ohio late June 2012

Poor kernel set due to record heat and drought NW Ohio 2012

Drought Effects on Ear Development

Water Use Rates for Corn Growth Stage Inches per Day Growth Stage Inches per Day VE-V40.06R10.30 V4-V80.10R20.26 V9-V110.18R30.24 V120.24R40.20 VT0.28R50.18

Effects of Drought on Corn Yield During Several Stages of Growth* Stage of DevelopmentPercent Yield Reduction Early Vegetative5-10 Tassel Emergence10-25 Silk Emergence, Pollen Shedding Blister30-40 Dough20-30 * After four consecutive days of visible leaf wilting

High temperatures impact on corn (E. Taylor, Iowa State University, 2012) When soil moisture is sufficient, corn does not have a measurable yield response to one day of temperatures between 93F to 98 F 4th consecutive day with a max temperature of 93 F or above, results in a 1 percent yield loss 5th day an additional 2 percent loss 6th day an additional 4 percent loss.

Stress Degree Days (SDDs) for corn SDDs for corn calculated by determining daily maximum temperatures minus 86 added up for the growing season Ohio accumuated 203 SDDs by July 15. Usually above 140 SDDs for an entire season means below trend line yields.

Stress Degree Days - S. Charleston, OH 2009 (242 bu/A) vs (234 bu/A)

Stress Degree Days - Hoytville, OH 2009 (164 bu/A) vs (178 bu/A)

Stress Degree Days - Wooster, OH 2009 (247 bu/A) vs (194 bu/A)

Grain Yield vs. Stress Degree Days* 2012 OCPT * Accumulated stress degree days, May-Aug

Root lodging resulting from wind storms SW Ohio, June 29-July 1, 2012

Root lodging damage due to wind storms SW Ohio, 6/30-7/1 2012

Green snap resulting from wind storms SW Ohio, 6/29-7/1/2012

Major stand loss caused by green snap SW Ohio, 6/29-7/1/2012

Greensnap at OCPT sites, 2012 TestAverageRange % S. Charleston Early70-52 Full50-32 U. Sandusky Early30-19 Full30-40 Van Wert Early10-15 Full10-27

% Greensnap effects on yield, S.Charleston, OH Early Maturity Test, By Hybrid, averaged across Reps

% Greensnap effects on yield, S. Charleston, OH Full Season Test, by hybrid, averaged across reps

Corn Cropping Systems 2012 Field Studies  Hybrid drought tolerance  Hybrid x planting depth x planting depth interactions  Stobilurin effects on N use efficiency  Hybrid x population interactions  Hybrid maturity effects on grain fill  Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT)

Does hybrid response to planting depth vary on different soil types and planting dates? Locations (soil types) –OCPT (10 sites – 2011, 2012) –NW, SC (w/planting 3 planting dates*, 2012 only) *Planting dates – early April, May, June Hybrids: 3 (varying in drought rating) –107 day –108 day –109 day

Planting Depth Affects Emergence Source: ½ in. 2 in. >3 in.

Competition from larger, earlier emerging plants can influence the performance of smaller, later emerging plants. VE V2 V4

Current Corn Recommendations Planting Depth Adjustments Under “normal” conditions, plant corn 1.5 to 2-inches deep. Plant slightly shallower in April and slightly deeper w/late May plantings

Planting Depth Effects on Yield, Final Stand and Runts, 10 OCPT Locations, 2011 Yield (Bu/A) Population (ppa) % Late emergers Planting Depth (inches)

Planting Depth Effects on Yield, Final Stand and Runts, 10 Ohio Locations, 2012 Yield (Bu/A) Population (ppa) % Runts Planting Depth

Planting Depth and Planting Date Effects on Yield and Final Stand. Hoytville, OH, 2012

Planting Depth and Planting Date Effects on Yield and Final Stand, S. Charleston, OH Crosby silt loam, 2012

Planting Depth and Planting Date Effects on Yield and Final Stand, S. Charleston, OH Kokomo silty clay loam, 2012

Planting date effects on root lodging † S. Charleston, OH, 2012 † June 30-July 1, 2012

Planting date effects on greensnap † S. Charleston, OH, 2012 † June 30-July 1, 2012

Planting date and hybrid effects on greensnap † on two soil types, S. Charleston, OH, 2012 Kokomo Crosby † June 30-July 1, 2012

New Drought Tolerant Corn Hybrids DuPont Pioneer – Optimum AQUAmax hybrids – “8.1% yield increase under water stress conditions” – “1.8% yield bump in well-watered conditions” Syngenta – Agrisure Artesian hybrids – “have the potential to increase yield up to 15% in moderate-to-severe drought conditions with no yield drag under optimal moisture.” Monsanto (w/BASF) – Genuity DroughtGard transgenic hybrids

Evaluation of planting date and seeding rate effects on drought tolerant corn hybrids Locations –OCPT (10 sites – 2011, 2012) –NW, SC, WO (2011 only) *Planting dates – early May vs. early June Target plant populations 18,000;26,000;34,000;42,000;50,000 plants/A Hybrids: four drought tolerant hybrids compared with conventional hybrids of similar maturity (102, 111, 113, and 114 days)

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, S. Charleston, OH 2011 NS

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, Hoytville, OH 2011 * NS

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, Wooster, OH 2011 NS * *

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, S. Charleston, OH 2012 NS * * *

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, Hoytville, OH 2012 * * * **

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, S. Charleston, OH 2012 Planted May 14Planted June 8 NS * * *

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, Hoytville, OH 2012 Planted May 3Planted June 7 NS * ** * *

Comparison of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Hybrids, Wooster, OH 2012 Planted May 7Planted June 6 NS * * *

Closing Thoughts Plant a mix of adapted hybrid maturities Plant full season hybrids first then early to mid maturities to optimize yields Avoid shallow plantings depths (especially when planting late) Consider adapted drought tolerant hybrids, but remember many conventional hybrids have good drought tolerance

Information for Ohio’s Crop Producers When They Need it on the Web OSU Crop Observation and Recommendation Network Newsletter (The C.O.R.N. Newsletter) - Published weekly in season - Archives of past issues -Pictures & description of crop problems Publications & Research Results Crop Markets, Weather Links & Other Useful Links

THANK YOU Questions?

2012 Drought

Abnormal ear development due to greensnap

Drought Effects on Ear Development “Tip Dieback”

Drought Increases Kernel Abortion

Zipper Ear Symptoms

Seeding Rates Affects “Zipper Ears” 27,500 38,500 49,500 Seeds per Acre

Drought Effects on Ear Development “Tip Dieback”

Drought Increases Kernel Abortion

Zipper Ear Symptoms

Seeding Rates Affects “Zipper Ears” 27,500 38,500 49,500 Seeds per Acre

Drought Effects – Leaf Rolling P. R. Thomison, OSU B-2-8

Common Corn Smut 2012

Corn Smut 2012

Plant that was 2 leaf stages behind is late to silk. Source: J. Coulter, U. of Minnesota

Yields of 2012 OCPT Planting Depth Study Planting Depth (inches)

Final Stand of 2012 OCPT Planting Depth Study Planting Depth (inches)

“Runts” of 2012 OCPT Planting Depth Study Planting Depth (inches)

New Drought Tolerant Corn DuPont Pioneer – Optimum AQUAmax hybrids – “8.1% yield increase under water stress conditions” – “1.8% yield bump in well-watered conditions” Syngenta – Agrisure Artesian hybrids – “have the potential to increase yield up to 15% in moderate-to-severe drought conditions with no yield drag under optimal moisture.” Monsanto (w/BASF) – Genuity DroughtGard transgenic hybrids