TEST PROGRAM

Selection of entries. Each year, producers of corn 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 corn following corn tests. Most of these hybrids are commercially available, although a few experimental hybrids are also entered.
Number and location of tests. In 2006, hybrid corn entrants were required to enter hybrid(s) in at least 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 370 corn hybrids from 53 companies tested in 2006.
Field-plot design. Three replications of an alpha lattice design or randomized complete block were used to give each corn hybrid 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 planted to stand and later counted to confirm population. Each plot was four rows wide and 23 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. 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).
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 planted to population and later counted to confirm population. Stand differences may be caused by failure to germinate or by damage from diseases, insects, cultivation, or rodents.

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.


2006 TEST FIELDS


Mt. Morris
Location: Nelson farm, Ogle county, north of Mt. Morris, north central Illinois.
Cooperator: Rick Nelson.
Soil type: Muscatine silt loam.
Planting date: May 7th .
Harvest date: October 14th .
Nitrogen: 150lbs. as 28%, PRE.
Herbicides: Pre emerge- Harness Xtra, Hornet.
Tillage: Spring- field cultivation.

Dwight
Location: Hoffman farm, Grundy county, north of Dwight, northeastern Illinois.
Cooperator: Allen Hoffman.
Soil type: Reddick silty clay loam.
Planting date: April 28th .
Harvest date: October 7th .
Nitrogen: 200 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Volley, Atrazine; Post-Laddok.
Tillage: Spring-soil finisher.
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 silty clay loam.
Planting date: April 28th .
Harvest date: October 13th .
Nitrogen (conventional): 216 lbs. as 28%,PPI.
Nitrogen (corn on corn): 220 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: Pre emerge-USA 2001, Atrazine.
Tillage: Fall- moldboard plow; Spring- mulchfinish.

Goodfield
Location: Wurmnest farm, Woodford county, north of Goodfield, central Illinois.
Cooperator: Mike Wurmnest.
Soil Type: Ipava silt loam.
Planting date: April 28th .
Harvest date: October 5th .
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI-Outlook, Post- Laddok.
Tillage: Fall -chisel plow, Spring- soil finisher.
Erie
Location: Slaymaker farm, Whiteside county, west of Rock Falls, northwestern Illinois.
Soil Type: Beaucoup silty clay loam.
Cooperator: Robert Slaymaker.
Planting Date: May 4th .
Harvest Date: October 6th .
Nitrogen: 200 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: Lumax
Tillage: Fall- chisel; Spring- field cultivate.

Urbana
Location: University of Illinois, Crop Sciences Research and Education Center,
Champaign county, Urbana, east-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Robert Dunker; superintendent,
Mike Kleiss; farm foreman.
Soil type: Flanagan silt loam.
Planting date: April 27th .
Harvest date: October 2nd .
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Degree extra, Aatrex. Post- Calisto, Steadfast.
Tillage: Fall- chisel plow, Spring- soil finisher.
Monmouth
Location: University of Illinois, Northwestern
Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Warren county, northwest of Monmouth.
Cooperators: Eric Adee; research director,
Martin Johnson; farm foreman.
Soil type: Sable silty clay loam.
Planting date: April 17th .
Harvest date: September 26th .
Nitrogen (conventional): 180 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Nitrogen (corn on corn):220 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Harness Extra; Post- Callisto, Steadfast
Tillage: Fall- chisel plow; Spring- field cultivate.

Brownstown
Location: University of Illinois, Brownstown Agronomy Research center,
Fayette county, south of Brownstown, south-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Steve Ebelhar; research director.
Lindell Deal; field worker.
Soil type: Cisne silt loam.
Planting date: May 8th .
Harvest date: October 4th .
Nitrogen: 160 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Bullet, Atrazine.
Tillage: Spring- disk, mix-n-till.

New Berlin
Location: King farm, Sangamon county, north of New Berlin, central Illinois.
Cooperators: Ike and Justin King.
Soil type: Ipava silt loam.
Planting date: April 27th .
Harvest date: September 19th .
Nitrogen: 180 lbs as anhydrous + DAP (fall applied).
Herbicides: PPI- Lexar; Post- Laddok.
Tillage: Fall- chisel plow; Spring- turbo till.

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: Ebbert silt loam.
Planting date: May 8th .
Harvest date: September 28th .
Herbicides: PPI- Lumax, Aatrazine.
Nitrogen: 150 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Tillage: Fall- Chisel plow, Spring-disk, field cultivate, and cultimulcher.

Perry
Location: University of Illinois, Orr Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Pike county, west of Perry, west-central Illinois.
Cooperator: Mike Vose; farm foreman.
Soil type: Herrick silt loam.
Planting date: April 18th .
Harvest date: September 20th .
Nitrogen: 200 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: Pre emerge- Harness Xtra; Post-Laddok.
Tillage: Fall- deep chisel; Spring- field cultivate.

 Elkville
Location: Funk farm, Jackson county, north of Carbondale, southern Illinois.
Cooperators: John and Trent Funk.
Soil Type: Okaw silt loam.
Planting date: May 8th .
Harvest date: September 27th .
Nitrogen: 170 lbs as ammonium nitrate PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Bicep II magnum, Aatrex; Post-Laddok.
Tillage: Spring- disk, mulch finisher.

 

GROWING SEASON RAINDALL

Location
May
June
July
August
September
Total
Mt. Morris
3.75
4.05
5.95
1.85
3.30
18.9
DeKalb
4.01
3.19
2.45
2.30
4.11
16.1
Erie
2.45
3.40
4.05
4.90
1.60
16.4
Monmouth
1.47
2.38
1.65
3.67
1.31
10.5
New Berlin
4.57
1.10
2.61
4.91
1.05
14.2
Perry
2.49
5.20
6.80
3.53
5.69
23.7
Dwight
3.58
1.18
4.71
4.32
3.39
17.2
Goodfield
2.90
0.90
3.80
5.70
1.30
14.6
Urbana
3.18
1.69
8.05
3.48
1.73
18.1
Brownstown
5.39
3.60
2.14
4.39
3.06
18.6
Belleville
3.99
3.16
1.81
1.46
2.80
12.6
Elkville
3.48
3.08
6.42
2.43
3.45
18.9

 

SOURCES OF SEED

Adrain, Adrain Associates, 9697 West Main,Kalamazoo, MI 49009. (269-808-2725)
Ag Venture, Ag Venture Seeds, 1763 E. 200N, Hoopeston, IL 60942. (217-375-4335
Asgrow, Monsanto, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167. (800-335-2676)
Beck, Beck's Superior Hybrids, 6767 E. 276 St., Atlanta, IN 46031. (800-937-2325)
Bio Gene, Bio Gene Seeds, 5477 Tri County Hwy., Sardinia, OH 45171. (888-862-3276)
Bojac, Bo Jac Seed Co., 245 1500th Av. Mt. Pulaski. IL 62548. (217-792-5001)
Burrus, Burrus Hybrids, 826 Arenzville Rd., Arenzville, IL 62611. (217-997-5511)
Corn Belt, Corn Belt Hybrids, P.O. Box 95, St. Marys, OH 45885. (800-977-3841)
Cornelius, Cornelius Seed Corn Co., 14760 317th Av., Bellevue, IA 52031. (563-672-3463)
Crows, Crow's Hybrid Corn Co., P.O. Box 157, Kentland, IN 47951. (800-331-7201)
Dairyland, Dairyland Seed , P.O. Box 958, West Bend, WI 53095. (800-236-0163)
DeKalb, Monsanto, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167. (800-335-2676)
DeRaedt, DeRaedt Seed Corp., 10 N 971 Tower Rd. Hampshire, IL 60140. (847-464-5553)
Dyna-Gro, UAP Distribution, 1267 W. Washington, Pittsfield, IL 63263.(217-285-4461)
Exsgen, Miles Seed, P.O. Box 22879 Owensboro, KY 42304-2879. (800-666-4537)
Farm Advantage, Farm Advantage, 1275 Hwy 69, Belmond IA 50421. (641-444-3314)
Gateway, Gateway Seed Co., 5517 Van Buren Road, Nashville, IL 62263. (618-327-8000)
Golden Harvest, Golden Harvest, Box 248, Pekin, IL 61555. (800-747-2127)
Hoblit, Hoblit Seed, 2189 1900th Av. P.O. Box 487, Atlanta, IL 61723. (217-648-2392)
Horizon, Horizon Genetics P.O. Box 31, Mason City, IL 62664. (800-533-2879)
Hubner, Hubner Seed Company, 10280 West St Rd 28, West Lebanon, IN 47991(800-328-4428)
Hughes, Hughes Hybrids, Inc., 206 N. Hughes Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. (815-338-1141)
ICORN, ICORN, 792 N. Peru St. Cicero, IN 46034. (800-240-0101)
Jung, Jung Seed Genetics, Inc., 341 South High St. Randolph, WI 53956.(800-242-1855)
Kaltenberg, Kaltenberg Seeds, 5506 State Hwy 19 P.O. Box 278, Waunakee, WI 53597-0278. (608-849-5021)
Kruger, Kruger Seed Co., 33938 160 th. St., Dike, IA 50624. (800-772-2721)
Laser, Golden Harvest, Box 248, Pekin, IL 61555. (800-747-2127)
Legacy, Legacy Seeds, Inc., 13559 Black Rd. P.O. Box 11, Fenton, IL 61251.(815-778-3622)
Lewis, Lewis Hybrids, Inc., 530 W. Maple St., P.O. Box 38, Ursa, IL 62376. (800-252-7851)
LG, LG Seeds, 22827 Shissler Rd., Elmwood, IL 61529. (309-742-2211)
M&D, M&D Seed, 8982 Ford Rd., Kinmundy, IL 62854. (618-547-3404)
Merschman, Merschman Seeds,Inc., 103 Av. D, West Point, IA 52656. (800-848-7333)
Midland, Brown Seed Enterprises,Inc., 289 CR 550 N. Neoga,IL 62447. (217-895-2335)
Midwest, Midwest Seed Genetics, P.O. Box 518, Carroll IA 51401. (800-369-8215)
Miller, Miller Hybrids, Inc., 2858 470 th St. SW, Iowa City IA 52240. (319-683-4682)
Munson, Munson Hybrids, Inc., 1262 Knox Road 100 E., Galesburg, IL 61401.(309-343-8410)
Partners Brand, DeRaedt Seed Corp., 10 N 971 Tower Rd. Hampshire, IL 60140. (847-464-5553)
Pioneer, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., 14171 Carole Dr., Bloomington, IL 61704.(800-950-3489)
Prairie Hybrids, Prairie Hybrids, 27445 Hurd Rd., Deer Grove, IL 61243. (815-438-7815)
Premium, Premium Seed, Inc., 1028 130th St. P.O. Box 218, Berwick, IL 61417. (309-462-2396)
Prime, Prime Farm Seeds, Inc.,120 N. Maple St., P.O. Box 549, Dana, IN 47847.(765-665-0170)
Quality Plus, Quality Plus Seed Company, 562 State Highway 164, Monmouth, IL 61462. (309-734-5764)
Renk, Renk Seed Co., 6800 Wilburn Rd., Sun Prairie, WI 53590. (800-289-7365)
Roeschley, Roeschley Hybrids, 8222 E. 1500 N. Rd., Graymont, IL 61743. (815-743-5938)
Select, Select Seed Hybrids, 277 W State Rd. P.O. Box 54, Camden, IN 46917.(574-686-2743)
Sieben, Sieben Hybrids, Inc., 1441 Gorman Drive, Geneseo, IL 61254. (309-944-5131)
Steyer, Steyer Seeds, 6154 N. Co. Rd. 33, Tiffin, OH 44883. (800-231-4274)
Stone, Stone Seed Co., 5965 W. St. Rt. 97, Pleasant Plains, IL 62677. (217-546-8006)
Trelay, Trelay Seed Co., 11623 Hwy 80, Livingston, WI 53554. (608-943-6363)
Trisler, Trisler Seed Farms, Inc., 3274 E 800 North Rd., Fairmount, IL 61841.(217-288-9301)
Triton, Bo Jac Seed Co., 245 1500th Av. Mt. Pulaski. IL 62548. (217-792-5001)
Unity, Unity Seeds, 107 Fallon St., Kentland IN 47951. (219-474-5810)
Vigoro, CPS-Vigoro Seeds, PO Box 1467, Galesburg, IL 61402-1467, (309-342-4100)
Whata, Whata Hybrid, Inc., 8908 W. Sabin Church Rd., Pearl City, IL 61062. (815-864-2290)
Whisnand, Whisnand Hybrids, 1220 E. State Rt. 133, Arcola, IL 61910. (217-268-3714)
Wilken, Wilken Seed Grains, Inc., R.R. 4, P.O. Box 770, Pontiac, IL 61764.(815-844-3458)
Willcross, Willcross Hybrids, LLC, P.O. Box 560, Garden City, MO 64747. (816-862-6002)
Wyffels, Miles Seed, P.O. Box 22879 Owensboro, KY 42304. (800-666-4537)