Citation
Commercial corn variety trial from Myakka City, Florida. 1987.

Material Information

Title:
Commercial corn variety trial from Myakka City, Florida. 1987.
Series Title:
Commercial corn variety trial from Myakka City, Florida.
Translated Title:
Research Report - Ona AREC ; RC-1988-2 ( English )
Creator:
Stephenson, R. J.
Horner, E. S.
Seawright, T. E.
Place of Publication:
Gainesville, Fla.
Publisher:
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. University of Florida.
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Commerical Corn Variety
Grains ( jstor )
Corn ( jstor )
Forage ( jstor )
Genre:
serial ( sobekcm )
Spatial Coverage:
North America -- United States -- Florida -- Myakka City

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier:
143646697 ( OCLC )

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Lirar y

SHiLI C 1989
-, 2 Agricultural Research and Education Center, Ona

Research Report RC-1988-2 Februaidr 1988^ "i:

COMMERCIAL CORN VARIETY TRIAL FROM
MYAKKA CITY, FLORIDA, 1987

R. J. Stephenson, E. S. Horner
and T. E. Seawright

Corn (Zea mays) is the principle silage crop in the U.S., with more
than 100 million tons harvested annually.' Nation wide corn silage
yields range from 4 to 20 tons dry matter (DM) per acre.

Maximum nutrient value and carotene content is obtained in corn
harvested at the glazed or dent stage of maturity. Grain types are
generally superior to the 'silage' corn or late maturing types, since
the nutritive value of corn silage is proportional to grain content.
Late-maturing varieties generally have a greater forage per acre, but
lower DM percentage content than the grain types. The best varieties
utilize the growing season to its fullest potential. In southern
Florida early maturing varieties are ready to harvest before heavy
summer rains, which allows the land to be utilized for other crops.

The majority of corn grown in Florida is utilized by the dairy
industry as silage. In Florida the major limitations to corn silage
production are insect, disease and soil moisture problems.

Planting dates start as early as February 1 in the extreme
southeast and continue through mid-April in the north. Early plantings
usually results in higher yields because the corn escapes high
temperatures,insects, competition from weeds and excessive moisture at
harvest.

Experimental Procedures

This corn silage variety trial was conducted in south Florida on a
Myakka muck soil. Prio Rto planting, 100 lb N and K 0/A were disced
into the soil. Furadan 15 G insecticide was applied at the rate of
17 lb/A in 7 inch bands over the rows to control army worms. Thirty
commercial corn varieties tested were planted in rows 30" apart on
March 6, 1987 and thinned to a final stand of 27, 000 plants/A. When
corn plants were 14 inches, an additional 70 lb N/A was applied between
the rows. Herbicide practices were 1 quart/A atrazine 4L postemergence
in 30 gallons of water/A when the corn was 36 inches. No cultivation
practices were used after planting. Experimental design was a
randomized complete block with three replications.



Assistant Professor, AREC-Ona; Professor, Agronomy Dept.,
Gainesville; and Extension Agent II, Palmetto.










Corn Maturity at Harvest


Corn plants were harvested for silage production and variables
recorded were: forage DM (yield and percent), grain yield, percent
kernel moisture, shelling percentage and grain to stover ratio. Grain
yield values were converted and expressed in bushels of shelled corn at
15.5% moisture.

Results and Discussion

Significant (P 0.05) differences existed among varieties for all
variables tested (Table 1). Average DM forage yield was 9 t/A and
ranged from 13 to 6.6 t/A for Sunbelt '1876' and Conlee '113'
respectively. Forage yields for 1987 were considerably higher than in
1986 averaging 9.0 t/A vs. 4.6, respectively. Insects, soil moisture,
etc. greatly reduced yields in 1986, while such factors were not
limiting in 1987.

Soil types, environmental factors, pests etc. vary at each
location, but Sunbelt '1876', McCurdy '8172' and Northrup King 'PX 9646'
were varieties which performed well at Ona and Myakka City (Table 2).

When considering a corn variety, producers should select early
maturing hybrids such as Sunbelt '1876' and McCurdy '8172' which have
high forage and grain yields. This allows growers to harvest earlier
and avoid excessive summer rains and allows time for planting a second
crop or alternative forage.

Grain yields are presented in bushels/A at 15.5% moisture of
shelled corn (Table 1). Average yield was 183 bu/A and ranged from a
high of 223 to a low of 128 bu/A. Varieties with high yields included
Sunbelt '1876', Northrup King 'PX 9646' and McCurdy '8172', producing
223, 205, and 192 bu/A respectively. All three hybrids had high forage
yields, % DM and grain yields (Table 1).

Grain-to-stover ratio (GSR) is expressed (dry wt. basis) as a
percentage by weight of grain to forage. Before selecting a hybrid one
should consider their needs and the type of animal the corn or silage
will be fed. A variety such as Dekalb 'DK 748' had a high GSR (59-41)
compared to Sunbelt '1876' (45-55), but had identical grain yields. The
difference was in total forage yield (Table-1). A variety such as
Pioneer '3320' had a GSR of 60-40, but forage and grain yields were
below average. In most instances a relatively high GSR and reasonable
forage yield would be the best hybrid. It is important to consider all
variables before selecting a hybrid.






I










Variety Selection

Each producer should consider varieties tested for a number of
years under different environmental conditions. Hybrids such as
Sunbelt '1876', Dekalb 'DX 748' and McCurdy '8150' all had excellent
grain yields in 1987. All three entries, produced forage in excess of
the average for the 30 varieties tested. Forage and grain yields of
selected varieties for 1986 and 1987 at Myakka City and Ona (1987) are
given for comparison in Table 2.


Conclusion

Varieties with relatively high forage and grain yields and GSR
include Dekalb 'DX 748', McCurdy '8150' and Northrup King 'PX 9646'. If
forage is the main concern, Sunbelt '1876' and Pioneer '3055' were the
best varieties. For grain yields Sunbelt '1876', Dekalb 'DK 748' and
McCurdy '8150' performed well.







\
Table 1. Forage and grain yields and other agronomic variables of commercial corn varieties grown at
Myakky City 1987.


Forage dry matter Grain Kernel Shelling Grain stover
Brand Variety Yield At harvest yieldt moisture' percentage ratio

t/A % bu/A %

Sunbelt 1876 13.0 a 43.3 a-f 223 a 35.5 a 84.6 kl 45-55
Pioneer 3055 11.2 ab 39.3 d-f 205 a-c 32.8 a-e 85.7 g-k 48-52
Northrup King PX 9646 10.7 a-c 41.7 b-f 205 a-c 31.1 c-i 87.2 b-g 50-50
Paymaster 8951 10.6 a-c 42.6 b-f 202 a-c 30.2 d-i 87. 4 a-g 50-50
McCurdy 8172 10.5 a-d 44.9 a-e 192 a-d 32.3 b-f 86.4 e-j 47-53
Seedtech H-2686 10.1 a-d 41.7 b-f 198 a-d 30.6 c-j 84.3 kl 51-49
Agratech GK 925 10.1 a-d 43.2 a-f 201 a-c 33.2 a-d 87.4 a-g 52-48
Dekalb DK 748 10.0 b-e 38.5 f 223 a 31.6 b-h 84.3 kl 59-41
Coker 8905 9.7 b-e 40.1 c-f 199 a-c 34.3 ab 85.3 h-k 55-45
McCurdy 8150 9.7 b-e 45.0 a-e 216 ab 30.9 c-j 84.8 j-1 58-42
Sunbelt 1827 9.7 b-e 40.7 c-f 190 a-d 31.8 b-h 88.4 a-d 52-48
Jacques JX 247 9.5 b-f 43.3 a-f 191 a-d 32.1 b-g 88.2 a-e 52-48
Asgro RX 892 9.5 b-f 44.8 a-e 193 a-d 31.1 c-i 88.4 a-d 53-47
Seedtech H-2775 9.3 b-f 42.9 b-f 205 a-c 29.9 e-j 87.0 b-h 57-43
Funks G-4733 9.2 b-f 42.0 b-f 175 a-e 32.1 b-g 84.5 kl 50-50
Coker 21 9.0 b-f 42.4 b-f 206 a-c 31.5 b-h 87.6 a-f 60-40
Agratech GK 900 8.8 b-f 43.9 a-f 178 a-e 30.3 d-j 84.5 kl 54-46
Dekalb DK 689 8.6 b-f 47.4 ab 184 a-d 33.5 a-c 89.2 a 56-44
Northrup King PX 9540 8.4 b-f 45.1 a-d 161 b-d 29.5 f-j 88.1 a-e 50-50
PAG SX 383 8.3 b-f 41.0 c-f 184 a-d 29.3 f-j 88.0 a-e 58-42
PAG SX 352 8.3 b-f 44.9 a-e 154 c-e 29.1 g-j 88.6 a-c 49-51
Asgrow O's Gold 5509 8.2 b-f 39.1 ef 176 a-e 31.1 c-i 87.1 b-h 57-43
Dekalb DK 711 8.1 c-f 44.3 a-f 190 a-d 28.2 ij 86.6 d-j 61-39
Conlee 202 7.8 c-f 41.0 c-f 157 c-e 31.6 b-h 58.0 i-i 53-47
Agratech GK 750 7.8 c-f 42.0 b-f 154 c-e 30.1 e-j 88.7 ab 52-48
Northrup King PX 95 7.6 c-f 38.4 f 159 c-e 33.6 a-c 86.0 f-k 55-45
Northrup King PX 9581 7.5 d-f 45.5 a-c 153 c-e 30.0 e-j 86.7 c-i 54-45
Asgrow RX 777 7.0 ef 42.7 b-f 128 e 27.9 j 86.0 f-k 48-52
Pioneer 3320 6.6 f 48.9 a 154 c-e 29.3 f-j 88.4 a-d 60-40
Conlee 113 6.6 f 45.3 a-d 143 de 28.8 h-j 83.0 1 56-44
AVERAGE 9.0 42.9 183 31.1 86.6 53-47









Table 1 Cont.


Means within a column followed by the same letters) are not significantly different at the 0.05
level of probability using Duncan's Multiple Range Test.

Based on 15.5% moisture (shelled corn).

SDetermined at harvest.

Expressed as a percentage by wieght on an oven dry basis.

Seeding date: March 23, 1987.

Plant population: Thinned to 27,000 plants/A.

Row spacing: 30 inches.

Insecticide: Furadan 15 G(R) 17 lb/A applied in 7 inch bans over corn rows at seeding.

Fertilization: 100 lb N and K20 at seeding. An additional 70 Ib N/A was applied when corn plants
were 14 inches.

Herbicide: 1 quart/A of atrazine 4L applied postemergence when corn was 36 inches.











Table 2. Forage and grain yields
grown at Myakka City in


of selected dent corn varieties
1986 and 87 and Ona in 1987.


Forage dry matter Grain yield
Brand Variety MCt 86 MC87 0t87 MC86 MC87 087
--------t/A-------- -----bu/A------
Sunbelt 1876 ---- 13.0 11.8 --- 223 172
Pioneer 3055 4.5 11.2 9.0 92 205 134
McCurdy 8150 4.9 9.7 9.8 113 216 177
Sunbelt 1827 4.6 9.7 9.0 115 190 187
Jacques JX 247 4.5 9.5 8.4 95 191 162
Funk's G-4733 4.2 9.2 8.8 96 175 143
Coker 21 4.3 9.0 7.7 102 206 156
Agratech GK900 4.1 8.8 8.5 79 178 184
Northrup King PX 9540 5.1 8.4 6.6 102 161 119
PAG SX 383 4.8 8.3 8.0 115 184 170
PAG SX 352 5.5 8.3 8.4 136 154 154
Asgrow O's Gold 5509 4.3 8.2 8.7 63 176 177
Dekalb DK 711 4.7 8.1 8.0 103 190 168


MC- Myakka City, muck soil; 0- Ona,


sand soil.









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