Corn Experimental Procedures
Test Descriptions:
- Non-Irrigated Corn Test: This test consists of five locations each in the north and central regions of the state and three locations in the southwest. Corn hybrids not approved for export to Japan cannot be entered in this test, but should be entered into the New Technology Corn Test (see description below).
- Irrigated Corn Test: This test will have two locations each in the central and southwest regions and three locations in the southeast region of the state. Corn hybrids not approved for export to Japan cannot be entered in this test, but should be entered into the New Technology Corn Test (see description below).
- New Technology Corn Test: This test will evaluate hybrids not approved for export to Japan (e.g Syngenta Agrisure hybrids). Information on current approval status of biotech events is available on the National Corn Growers Association website: ncga.com and click “Know Before You Grow.” Locations for this test include three non-irrigated locations in North and Central Missouri and three irrigated locations in Southeast Missouri. Entries will be compared to three high-yield standard hybrids. Grain from this test will be marketed into approved channels.
Entries:
All producers of hybrid seed were eligible to enter the 2008 corn evaluation tests. Participation was voluntary and the test coordinators exercised no control over which, or how many hybrids were entered. To help finance the evaluation program, the participants paid $100 per location for each hybrid entered.
Plot Management:
All tests were planted and harvested with commercial equipment modified for small plot work. Row spacing for all corn tests was 30 inches. Seeding rate for non-irrigated corn tests was 28,600 seeds/acre and irrigated corn tests was 34,200 seeds/acre. Preplant fertilizer was applied at each site at the discretion of the farmer or the station manager. Herbicides were used to control weeds, and additional hand weeding was done as required. Management details varied from location to location and are specified in the regional crop management summaries.
Data Recorded:
Plant stands were recorded mid-season and lodging was determined immediately before harvest. Plants leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical and those bent or broken below the ear were counted as lodged. During harvest, plot grain weights were measured and an electronic moisture tester was used to determine the moisture content of the grain. Yields were calculated from the data collected and reported in bushels (56 pounds) per acre at a moisture content of 15.5 percent.
Field Plot Design:
Full season hybrids were evaluated in non-irrigated and irrigated tests. Tests were arranged in lattice or randomized complete block field plot designs depending on the number of entries in each test. At all locations, plots were four rows wide and 25 feet long with a between-the-row spacing of 30 inches. Only the center two rows were harvested to determine yield.