Selection of entries. Each year, producers of corn and sorghum hybrids
in Illinois and surrounding states are invited to enter hybrids in the Illinois
performance trials. Financing is provided thru entry fees. Entrants are required
to enter their corn hybrids regionally at a fee of $240 for each corn hybrid
entered in a region or $80 per hybrid for the Urbana Roundup Ready corn test.
Fees for sorghum hybrid testing were $240 per region for each hybrid. Most of
these hybrids are commercially available, although a few experimental hybrids
are also entered.
Number and location of tests. In 2002, hybrid corn entrants were required to
enter one of 4 regions each consisting of 3 locations with a total of 12 locations
in the state (see map). These sites represent the major soil and climatic areas
of the state.
Hybrids. There were
395 corn hybrids from 56 companies and 9 sorghum hybrids from 4 companies tested
in 2002.
Field-plot design.
Three replications of an alpha lattice design or randomized complete block were
used to give each corn or sorghum entry an equal chance to show its merits.
Planting methods. All trials were planted by a modern four row planter modified
for small plot work. A soil insecticide (Force) was applied in furrow at planting
for all corn trials. Corn plots were over planted by 10 percent and later thinned
to desired stands. Sorghum plots were planted at a rate to achieve 4-6 plants
per foot of row at harvest. Each plot was four rows wide and 23 or 21 feet long.
The center two rows of each plot were harvested to determine yields.
Fertilization. All test fields were at a high level of fertility. Additional
fertilizer was plowed down or side dressed as needed to ensure top yields.
Method of harvest. All corn plots were harvested with a custom-built, self-propelled,
corn plot combine. Sorghum plots were harvested with a sorghum plot combine.
Grain collected from each plot was weighed, and tested for moisture content.
An electronic moisture monitor was used in the combine for all moisture readings.
No allowance was made for grain that might have been lost in harvest.
PERFORMANCE DATA
Grain yield.
Grain weight and moisture was converted to bushels per acre of No. 2 shelled
corn (15.5 percent moisture) while sorghum was reported using 56 pounds per
bushel at 14 percent moisture.
Moisture content. Occasionally, hybrids too late in maturity for a given
area are entered in these tests. These hybrids are often high in yield, but
their moisture content may make them poor choices for farm use unless proper
drying or storage facilities are available.
Erect plants. The number of erect plants in each plot of a hybrid was determined
at harvest time. Any plant leaning at an angle of more than 45 degrees or broken
below the ear was considered lodged. Plants broken above the ear were considered
erect.
Population. Corn plots were over planted and thinned to the desired population.
Stand differences may be caused by failure to germinate or by damage from diseases,
insects, cultivation, or rodents.
Head Exertion. Sorghum hybrids were measured in late August for length of
seed head exertion from the flag leaf to the base of the seed head (expressed
in inches).
Plant Height. Sorghum hybrids were measured in late August from the ground
to the top of the seed head (expressed in inches).
Head Compactness. Sorghum hybrids were rated in late August for seed head
compactness. A rating of 1 was given for tightly compacted seed heads, 2 for
moderate compactness, 3 for loose compactness.
SUGGESTIONS
FOR COMPARING HYBRIDS
It is impossible
to measure performance exactly in any test of plant material. Harvesting efficiency
may vary, soils may not be uniform, and many other conditions may produce variability.
Results of repeated tests, like those reported here, are more reliable than
those of a single-year or a single-strip test. When one hybrid consistently
out yields another at several test locations and over several years of testing,
the chances are good that this difference is real and should be a consideration
in choosing a hybrid. When comparing yields, however, grain moisture content,
percentage of erect plants, and plant population must also be considered.
A number of statistical tests are available for comparing hybrids within a single
trial. One of these tests, the least significant difference (L.S.D.), when used
in the manner suggested by Carmer and Swanson1 is quite simple to apply and
is more appropriate than most other tests. When two hybrids are compared and
the difference between them is greater than the tabulated L.S.D. value, the
hybrids are judged "significantly different."
The L.S.D. is a number expressed in bushels per acre and presented following
the average yield for each location. An L.S.D. level of 25% is shown. Find the
highest yielding hybrid within the regional table or single location table of
interest, subtract the 25% L.S.D. value from the highest yielding hybrid, every
hybrid with a greater yield than the resulting number is 'statistically the
same' as the highest yielding hybrid. Consider the merits of the hybrids in
this group when making hybrid selections.
In a study of the frequencies of occurrence of three types of statistical errors
and their relative seriousness, Carmer2 found strong arguments for an optimal
significance level in the range = 0.20 to 0.40, where is the Type I statistical
error rate for comparisons between means that are really equal. Herein, a value
of = 0.25 is used in computing the L.S.D. 25- percent level shown in the tables.
To make the best use of the information presented in this circular and to avoid
any misunderstanding or misrepresentation of it, the reader should consider
an additional caution about comparing hybrids. Readers who compare hybrids in
different trials should be extremely careful, because no statistical tests are
presented for that purpose. Readers should note that the difference between
a single hybrid's performance at one location and its performance at another
is caused primarily by environmental effects and random variability. Furthermore,
the difference between the performance of hybrid A in one trial and that of
hybrid B in another is the result not only of environmental effects and random
variability, but of genetic effects as well.
1Carmer, S.G. and
M.R. Swanson. "An Evaluation of Ten Pairwise Multiple Comparison Procedures
by Monte Carlo Methods." Journal of American Statistical Association 68:66-74.
1973.
2Carmer, S.G. "Optimal Significance Levels for Application of the Least
Significant Difference in Crop Performance Trials." Crop Science 16:95-99,
1976.
2002
TEST FIELDS
Mt. Morris
Location: Horst farm, Ogle county, North of Mt. Morris, north central Illinois.
Cooperator: William Horst
Soil type: Tama-Muscatine-Sable.
Planting date: April 26.
Harvest date: October 12.
Nitrogen: 200 lbs. as 28% (spring applied).
Herbicides: Pre-LV 400, Degree Xtra, Post-Basagran.
Tillage: no-till.
DeKalb
Location: University of Illinois, Northern
Illinois Research Center, DeKalb county, southwest of DeKalb.
Cooperators: Lyle Paul, research director;
David Lindgren, farm foreman.
Soil type: Flanagan silt loam (dark brown,
adequately drained, highly fertile).
Planting date: April 26.
Harvest date: October 21.
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. as anhydrous (fall applied). Herbicides: Pre- Harness Plus,
Aatrex and Balance.
Tillage: fall- chisel, spring-field cultivate.
Erie
Location: Slaymaker farm, Whiteside county, west of Rock Falls, northwestern
Illinois.
Soil Type: Beaucoup silty clay loam.
Cooperator: Robert Slaymaker.
Planting Date: April 26.
Harvest Date: October 11.
Nitrogen: 210 lbs. as anhydrous ( spring applied).
Herbicides: Pre-Guardsman, Post-Distinct.
Tillage: fall- chisel, spring- field cultivate.
Monmouth
Location: University of Illinois, Northwestern
Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Warren county, northwest
of Monmouth. Cooperator: Eric Adee, research director;
Martin Johnson, farm foreman.
Soil type: Muscatine silt loam.
Planting date: April 17.
Harvest date: September 25.
Nitrogen: 220 lbs. as UAN knifed in.
Herbicides: Pre-Degree Xtra, Post- Laddox.
Tillage: fall- moldboard plowed, spring- field cultivate.
New Berlin
Location: King farm, Sangamon county, north of
New Berlin, central Illinois.
Cooperator: Ike King.
Soil type: Sable silty-clay loam.
Planting date: April 16.
Harvest date: September 17.
Nitrogen: 215 lbs. as anhydrous (fall applied).
Herbicides: Pre- Bicep II Magnum,
Post- Basagran.
Tillage: spring- field cultivate.
Perry
Location: University of Illinois, Orr Agricultural Research and Demonstration
Center, Pike County, west of Perry, west-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Glenn Raines, research director;
Mike Vose, farm foreman.
Soil type: Downs silt loam.
Planting date: April 16.
Harvest date: September 23.
Nitrogen: 220 lbs. as anhydrous (fall applied).
Herbicides: Pre- Bicep II Magnum, Post-Basagran.
Tillage: fall- deep chisel, spring- field cultivate.
Dwight
Location: Zabel farm, Livingston County, northwest of Dwight, northeastern Illinois.
Cooperators: Larry and Louis Zabel.
Soil type: Elliott silty clay loam.
Planting date: April 18.
Harvest date: September 30.
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. as anhydrous (fall applied).
Herbicides: PPI- TopNotch, Post-Laddok.
Tillage: spring-field cultivate.
Goodfield
Location: Wurmnest farm, Woodford county, north of Goodfield, central Illinois.
Cooperator: Mike Wurmnest.
Soil Type: Ipava silt loam.
Planting date: April 18.
Harvest date: October 10.
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. as 28% (spring & fall applied).
Herbicides: Pre- Atrazine, Post- Laddok.
Tillage: fall- chisel, spring- soil finisher.
Urbana
(results not included due to high CV)
Location: University of Illinois, Crop Sciences Research and Education Center,
Champaign County, at Urbana, east-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Robert Dunker, superintendent;
Mike Kleiss, farm foreman.
Soil type: Flanagan silt loam.
Planting date: April 17.
Harvest date: October 9.
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. as 28% (spring applied).
Herbicides: PPI- Harness Extra, Post- Basagran
Herbicide(Roundup trial): Roundup
Tillage: fall- chisel, spring- field cultivate.
Brownstown
(results not included due to low yields and high CV)
Location: University of Illinois, Brownstown Agronomy Research center, Fayette
County, south of Brownstown, south-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Adam Anderson; research director, Lindell Deal; field worker.
Soil type: Cisne silt loam.
Corn planting date: May 27.
Corn harvest date: September 27.
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. as 28% (spring applied).
Herbicides: Pre- Harness Xtra. Post-Steadfast.
Tillage: spring- Finishing tool.
Sorghum planting date: May 28.
Sorghum harvest date: September 27.
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. as 28% (spring applied).
Herbicides: Preplant- Guardsman Max.
Tillage: spring- combination finishing tool.
Belleville
Location: Southern Illinois University Research Center, east of Belleville,
St. Clair county.
Cooperators: Dr. Ed Varsa, research director; Ron Krausz, field manager.
Soil type: Ebert silt loam.
Corn planting date: May 27.
Corn harvest date: October 2.
Herbicides: PPI- Bicep ll magnum+ Aatrex.
Nitrogen: 150 lbs spring applied ammonium nitrate.
Tillage: fall-chisel, spring-disc, and cultimulcher.
Carbondale
(results not included due to low yields and high CV)
Location: Myers farm, Jackson county, north of Carbondale, southern Illinois.
Cooperators: Paul Pinnon; field manager,
Dr. Ed varsa; research director.
Soil Type: Stoy silt loam. (shallow, silty loam
over claypan).
Corn planting date: May 27.
Corn harvest date: October 3.
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. (Spring applied).
Herbicides: PPI- Bicep Post-Accent..
Tillage: disc, field cultivator.
Sorghum planting date: June 16.
Sorghum harvest date: October 2.
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. (spring applied).
Herbicides: Pre-Bicep.
Tillage: spring-disc, field cultivate.
Dixon Springs
(Sorghum)
Location: University of Illinois, Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Johnson
County, extreme southern Illinois.
Cooperators: Steve Ebelhar; research director, Carl Hart, research specialist.
Soil type: Grantsburg silt loam.
Planting date: May 28.
Harvest date: October 2.
Herbicide: Pre-Bullet.
Nitrogen: 54 lbs as DAP and100 lbs. as 28% UAN sidedress.
Tillage Program: spring- disk twice.
|
2002 Growing Season Rainfall
|
|||||
| Location |
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug.
|
Sept.
|
| Mt. Morris |
3.10 |
7.00
|
1.80
|
4.00
|
1.90
|
| DeKalb |
4.64
|
3.54
|
1.21
|
3.06
|
1.13
|
| Erie |
4.30
|
6.80
|
2.80
|
5.60
|
0.40
|
| Monmouth |
7.37
|
4.44
|
2.90
|
5.11
|
0.41
|
| New Berlin |
8.50
|
3.90
|
3.70
|
4.50
|
1.80
|
| Perry |
9.15
|
4.60
|
4.75
|
4.46
|
0.85
|
| Dwight |
2.80
|
1.10
|
1.90
|
0.60
|
1.30
|
| Goodfield |
7.50
|
2.10
|
3.00
|
2.40
|
0.40
|
| Urbana |
6.29
|
2.78
|
2.73
|
7.27
|
1.77
|
| Brownstown |
9.01
|
3.16
|
1.21
|
1.99
|
1.52
|
| Belleville |
6.60
|
1.74
|
3.74
|
3.62
|
3.38
|
| Carbondale |
7.75
|
2.29
|
0.10
|
0.75
|
2.96
|
| Dixon Springs |
9.89
|
1.23
|
2.02
|
2.86
|
7.50
|
SOURCES OF SEED