White Corn Hybrid Evaluation, 1996.

Corn population, height, and yield were observed in this study. Differences in population likely related to differences in viability and emergence characteristics. Corn height differences between hybrids occurred, but likely were related to genetic differences. White corn yield ranged from 146 to 174 bu/A whereas yellow corn (food grade) yield ranged from 169 to 179 bu/A.

I. INTRODUCTION:

This is the third year that white corn hybrids have been evaluated at the Belleville Research Center as a service to southern Illinois farmers through the coordination of Continental Grain Co. of E. St. Louis, IL and several corn seed companies. In 1996, several yellow 'food grade' hybrids were included to evaluate their yield and quality. On the attached table, hybrids followed by a (y) indicate food grade hybrids whereas those followed by a (w) indicate they were white corn hybrids.

II. BASIC INFORMATION:

A. Soil type: Ebbert silt loam, 1.9% OM, CEC-9, pH 6.6, P1-78, K-313.

B. 1996 Fertilizer: 150 lb N/A (+ 50 lb P2O5 + 150 lb K2O/A Nov. 1995).

C. Tillage: reduced till

D. Previous crop: soybeans

E. Planting Date: May 22

F. Planting Rate: 26, 000 seed/A

G. Herbicide: Guardsman 4 pt/A + Aatrex DF 0.6 lb/A PPI, May 22.

H. Cultivation: once on June 20

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Corn Population:

Corn population ranged from 23,700 to 26,700 plants per acre on Sept. 9. Several of the differences were significant. The same planter at the same seed drop setting was used for all hybrids. The difference in population may have been related to viability, emergence characteristics, etc. Nonetheless, it is suggested that even 23,700 plants per acre would result in optimum or nearly optimum yield for our soil type and rainfall conditions in July and August.

Corn Height:

Corn height ranged from 94 to 109 inches. Height differences likely were related to genetic differences between hybrids.

Corn Yield:

Corn yield for white corn ranged from 146 to 174 bu/A. Several of these yield differences were significant. Yellow (food grade) corn yield ranged from 169 to 179 bu/A. Overall, yellow corn yield was greater than white corn yield.

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Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications in Wheat, 1996.

Wheat yield as related to timing of nitrogen fertilizer application was evaluated. In most instances, there was no difference in yield when nitrogen was applied from early February until late April. Test weight was greater where no fertilizer was applied compared to where fertilizer was applied. Wheat in no fertilizer plots had fewer tillers compared to where fertilizer was applied. Therefore, wheat plants in nontreated plots had large heads with high density grain thus increasing test weight.

I. INTRODUCTION:

Nitrogen applied in early winter may cause winter wheat to break dormancy prematurely if weather conditions are conducive for wheat growth. However, wheat actively growing in February may be more susceptible to sudden temperature changes thus increasing the possibility of injury. This study was designed to evaluate yield with nitrogen applied at several dates beginning in February through the end of April.

II. ABBREVIATIONS USED:

        TRZAW: wheat

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The Fall and Winter of the winter wheat growing season was dry and cold. There was very little ground cover in the winter to protect plants against low temperatures. Therefore, in the spring, wheat had to replace leaf area which was reduced during mid to late winter.

Test Weight:

Test weight ranged from 54 to 58 lb/bu. Test weight was greater where no fertilizer was applied compared to where fertilizer was applied. Wheat in no fertilizer plots had fewer tillers compared to where fertilizer was applied. Therefore, wheat plants in nontreated plots had large heads with high density grain thus increasing test weight.

Wheat Yield:

Wheat yield ranged from 44 bu/A in the nontreated to 69 bu/A. In most instances, there was no difference in yield when nitrogen was applied from early February until late March.

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Corn (and Soybean) Tillage x Fertility Study, 1996.

Grain yield ranged from 101 to 227 bu/A in 1996. There was no significant difference in yield related to the interaction between tillage and fertility or due to tillage. However, fertility treatments did influence yield. Corn population was not influenced by either tillage or fertility but height was affected by fertility. The number of ears per acre was not influenced by tillage or fertility.

I. Introduction:

In 1970, a corn tillage x fertility study was initiated and continued continuously in corn through 1990. Twenty consecutive years of corn data was obtained during this period (no data in 1981).

The study was changed to a corn-soybean rotation in 1991, with soybeans planted in 1991, corn in 1992, soybeans in 1993, corn in 1994, soybeans in 1995, and corn again in 1996. It is intended to continue rotating corn and soybeans in the future.

II. RESEARCH METHODS:

A. Seedbed Tillage Treatments:

1. Continuous Conventional

2. Alternate 2 years no-till, 1 year conventional, 2 years no-till, etc.

No-tilled in 1970 (first year of study), and in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976,

1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991 and 1992, 1994, and 1995. Conventional till in 1996.

3. Continuous chisel plow, about 8 inches deep, spring only most years.

4. Continuous no-till (stalks fall-chopped only operation).

B. Fertilizer Treatments: Rates, lb/A N-P2O5-K2O:

                1.No fertilizer                                     0-0-0
                2.N* only, surface applied,                         175-0-0 
                  incorporated in tilled plots                      
                3.N only, surface applied,                          160-0-0 
                  incorporated in tilled plots +                    +15-80-120
                  NPK starter (2"x2")4
                4.NPK, surface applied only,                        175-80-180  
                  incorporated in tilled plots
                5.NPK, surface applied, incorporated                160-50-150   
                  in tilled plots + NPK starter (2"x2")             +15-30-30
                  *All nitrogen applied has been ammonium nitrate.      

C. Experimental Design:

Split-plot design with tillage methods as main plots and fertilizer treatments as subplots. Four replications. Individual plot size: 8 rows, (20' wide) x 25.0 ft long, 30 inch row spacing.

D. Treatment Application:

1. Fertilizer: All broadcast P and K applied April 19, 1996 before any tillage;

all nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) applied May 29; all row fertilizer applied during planting on May 22. See item B above for specific rates and

application methods.

2. Tillage:

                    a.  Continuous Conventional: Plowed, disced, and cultimulched May 21, 1996.
                    b.  Continuous chisel: May 21, 1996.
                    c.  Alternate: Conventional tillage in 1996, same as (a) above.
                    d.  Continuous No-Tillage: No tillage of any kind since 1969.

3. Pesticides:

                    a.  Herbicides: Guardsman 2.5 lb ai/A, Aatrex 0.5 lb ai + Roundup 1.0 lb ai                 May 24
                    b.  Insecticides: Warrior at 0.02 lb ai/A May 30 for black cutworm control.
                    c.  Cultivation: Conventional, alternate, and chisel plots cultivated on
                        June 21.

E. Planting and Harvest Details:

                1.  Hybrid: Pioneer brand 3335
                2.  Planting rate: 26,000 seed/A
                3.  Planting date: May 22, 1996
                4.  Harvested 4 rows by 18 ft

F. Rainfall in Inches:

                1.  1995: Sept.-0.3; Oct.-2.3; Nov.-1.0; Dec.-2.7.
                2.  1996: Jan.-2.9; Feb.-0.4; Mar.-2.3; April-11.1; May-4.9; June-5.8; July-2.7;
                          Aug.-3.7; Sept.-3.1.

G. Other Details:

                1.  Location: Area 19aW, Belleville Research Center
                2.  Soil Type: Ebbert Silt Loam
                3.  Previous Crop: Corn 1970-1990, 1992, 1994, and 1996
                                   Soybeans 1991, 1993, and 1995

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Grain yield in 1996 and average yield from 1970-1990, 1992, 1994, and 1996, plant population, plant height, ear number, percent barrenness, and grain moisture data are presented in Tables 1-15.

GRAIN YIELD, 1996 (Tables 1 and 2):

Grain yield ranged from 99 to 227 bu/A in 1996 with the highest yield observed in no-till plots where N-P-K was used (Table 1). However, there was no significant interaction between tillage and fertility in 1996. Further, there was no significant difference due to tillage, when averaged over fertility (Table 2). Yield in the conventional, alternate, chisel, and no-till was 182, 183, 185,

 and 185 bu/A, respectively. There were significant differences due to fertility treatments in 1996 (Table 2). However, these differences were related to treatments with no fertilizer or N only compared to treatments with N-P-K. The 101 bu/A yield in the no fertilizer treatment is the highest obtained in this treatment in the 26 years of this study.

GRAIN YIELD, AVERAGE OF 1970-1990 PLUS 1992, 1994, and 1996:

There was a significant interaction between tillage and fertility when corn yield was averaged over the 23 years that corn has been planted in this study (Table 3). There was no difference in yield between the three N-P-K fertility treatments in continuous conventional and chisel treatments. However, in the alternate tillage and continuous no-till plots, yield in treatments consisting of N-P-K broadcast only were greater than where only N was broadcast plus N-P- K row or where N-P-K was applied broadcast plus in the row. Results from this long-term study have failed to show any benefit for starter fertilizer.

CORN POPULATION, JUNE 22, 1996 (Tables 4 and 5):

Differences in corn population on June 22 were not significant between tillage methods, fertility treatments, or the interaction between tillage and fertility. Population ranged from 24,500 to 26,900 plants per acre.

CORN POPULATION, SEPT. 9, 1996 (Tables 6 and 7):

As had been observed on June 22, corn population on Sept. 9 was not influenced by tillage, fertility, or the interaction between tillage and fertility. Population ranged from 25,100 to 27,000 plants per acre. The slight increase in population on Sept. 9 compared to June 22 may have been related to counting some 'tillers' as individual plants. Pioneer brand 3335 used in this study produces a substantial number of tillers.

CORN HEIGHT, SEPT. 9, 1996 (Tables 8 and 9):

There was no influence on corn height related to the interaction between tillage and fertility (Table 8). However, significant differences were observed related to the independent effects of tillage and fertility (Table 9). Corn was taller in no-till plots compared to the other three tillage systems, with the shortest corn occurring in conventional-till plots. Corn height was not different between any of the fertility treatments that included N-P-K but was shorter in the N only and the zero fertilizer plots.

CORN EAR NUMBER (Tables 10 and 11):

There was no difference in ear number related to tillage, fertility, or the interaction between tillage and fertility.

PERCENT BARREN (Tables 12 and 13):

Percent barren plants ranged from three to nine percent but these differences were not significant.

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