PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL CORN HYBRIDS IN ILLINOIS, 2009
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 $270 for each corn hybrid entered in a region or $90 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 2009, 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 298 corn hybrids from 42
companies tested in 2009.
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.
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.
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 á = 0.20 to 0.40, where á is the Type I statistical error rate for comparisons between means that are really equal. Herein, a value of á = 0.25 is used in computing the L.S.D. 25percent 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.
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 19th .
Harvest date: November 9th .
Nitrogen: 170lbs. as 32%, PRE.
Herbicides: PRE- Harness Xtra .
Tillage: Spring- field cultivation.
Location: U. of Illinois, N. 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: May 12th .
Harvest date: November 10th .
Nitrogen (Conv.): 190 lbs. 28% as side dress.
Nitrogen (CFC): 180 lbs. 28% as side dress.
Herbicides: PRE- Degree xtra, Balance Pro.
Herbicides (CFC) Define, Marksman.
Tillage: (CFC) Spring- disk, mulch finish.
Tillage: (Conv.) Fall- moldboard plow; Spring- mulch finish.
Location: Slaymaker farm, Whiteside county, west of Rock
Falls, northwestern Illinois.
Soil Type: Beaucoup silty clay loam.
Cooperator: Robert Slaymaker.
Planting Date: Mayl 5 th.
Harvest Date: October 29 th.
Nitrogen: 195 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Herbicides: PPI- Harness Extra.
Tillage: Fall- chisel; Spring- field cultivate.
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: May 5th .
Harvest date: October 28th .
Nitrogen (Conv.): 170 lbs. as 28%.
Nitrogen (CFC):220 lbs. as 28%.
Herbicides: (both) PPI- Outlook, Atrazine; Post- Callisto, Resource, Atrazine.
Tillage: Fall- (CFC) chisel plow; Spring- field cultivate.
Tillage: (Conv) subsoil; Spring- field cultivate.
Location: Bennett Farm, Sangamon county, north of New
Berlin, central Illinois.
Cooperators: Leahy Bennett.
Soil type: Sable silt loam.
Planting date: April 24 th.
Harvest date: October 13 th.
Nitrogen: 165 lbs as fall applied anhydrous.
Herbicides: PPI- Parallel-Plus.
Tillage: Fall- V rip; Spring- vertical finisher.
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: May 23 rd.
Harvest date: October 19 th.
Nitrogen: 180 lbs. 28% / Urea.
Herbicides: PRE- Harness Xtra;
Post-Laddok.
Tillage: Spring- field cultivate, Dyna drive.
Location: Hoffman farm, Grundy county, north of Dwight,
northeastern Illinois.
Cooperator: Allen Hoffman.
Soil type: Reddick silty clay loam.
Planting date: May 23rd .
Harvest date: November 6 th.
Nitrogen: 185 lbs. as fall applied anhydrous.
Herbicides: PPI- Bicep; Post-Callisto.
Tillage: Fall-strip till.
Location: Wurmnest farm, Woodford county, north of Goodfield,
central Illinois.
Cooperator: Mike Wurmnest.
Soil Type: Ipava silt loam.
Planting date: May 24th .
Harvest date: Novemberr 5th .
Nitrogen: 162 lbs. as 28%, dry and sidedress.
Herbicide: Pre- Resolve, Atrazine, 2-4D.
Post-Laudis and Accent.
Tillage: Spring- shallow strip tiller.
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: May 23rd .
Harvest date: Novemberr 2 th.
Nitrogen: (Conv.) - 200 lbs. as 28% PPI.
Nitrogen: (CFC) - 220 lbs. as 28% PPI
Herbicides: PPI- Lumax, Aatrex.
Tillage: Spring- soil finisher.
Location: Magnus Farm, Fayette county, west of St. Peter,
south-central Illinois.
Cooperators: Torrey Magnus.
Soil type: Bluford silt loam.
Planting date: June 7th .
Harvest date: November 4 th.
Nitrogen: 180 lbs (150 lbs spring applied anhydrous, 30 lbs
DAP).
Herbicide: PRE- Lexar, Atrazine.
Tillage: Spring- disk, field cultivate, crumbler twice.
Belleville
Location: S. Illinois University Research Center, east of
Belleville, St. Clair county.
Cooperators: Ron Krausz; field manager.
Soil type: Ebbert silt loam.
Planting date: May 22 nd.
Harvest date: November 3 rd.
Herbicides: PPI- Lumax, Atrex.
Nitrogen: 150 lbs. as Urea PPI.
Tillage :Spring-disk, field cultivator, cultimulcher.
Location: Funk farm, Jackson county, Elkville, north of
Carbondale, southern Illinois.
Cooperators: John and Trent Funk.
Soil Type: Okaw silt loam.
Planting date: May 21 st.
Harvest date: October 21 st.
Nitrogen: 170 lbs as spring applied anhydrous .
Herbicides: PRE- Lexar, Aatrex, POST-Basagran.
Tillage: Fall- Chisel, Spring- field cultivator, mulch finisher.
GROWING SEASON RAINFALL
| Location | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Morris | 4.10 | 7.50 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 3.00 | 27.6 |
| DeKalb | 3.74 | 4.20 | 2.57 | 5.15 | 1.18 | 16.8 |
| Erie | 3.10 | 5.75 | 6.70 | 10.4 | 1.50 | 27.5 |
| Monmouth | 5.14 | 8.53 | 3.58 | 6.78 | 1.55 | 25.6 |
| New Berlin | 3.70 | 5.20 | 1.70 | 4.60 | 3.90 | 19.1 |
| Perry | 5.05 | 5.47 | 3.06 | 5.71 | 1.69 | 21.0 |
| Dwight | 2.98 | 1.88 | 6.15 | 1.50 | 13.2 | 25.8 |
| Goodfield | 5.80 | 3.20 | 5.10 | 5.30 | 4.80 | 24.2 |
| Urbana | 5.71 | 4.42 | 6.30 | 5.62 | 0.80 | 22.9 |
| St. Peter | 6.86 | 5.26 | 9.10 | 1.49 | 3.67 | 26.4 |
| Belleville | 4.54 | 6.58 | 3.47 | 4.07 | 2.19 | 20.9 |
| Elkville | 8.60 | 4.50 | 9.10 | 4.10 | 3.80 | 30.1 |
Beck, Beck's Superior Hybrids, 6767 E. 276th St., Atlanta, IN 46031 (317-937-2325)
Bo-jac, 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)
Cornelius, Cornelius Seed, 14760 317th Av., Bellevue, IA 52031 (563-672-3463)
Crows, Crow’s Hybrids, P.O. Box 157, Kentland, IN 47951(219-474-6957)
DeKalb, Monsanto, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167 (800-335-2676)
FS Seed, Growmark Inc., 1701 Towanda Ave., P.O. Box 2500, Bloomington, IL 61701 (309-557-6234)
G2 Genetics, G2 Genetics, 415 South Duff Avenue, Suite C Ames, IA 50010 (600-942-6748)
Hoblit, Burrus Hybrids, 826 Arenzville Road, Arenzville, IL 62611(217-997-5511)
Horizon, Horizon Genetics, P.O. Box 31, Mason City, IL 62664 (800-533-2879)
Hubner, Hubner Seed, 10280 West SR 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)
Kaltenberg, Kaltenberg Seeds, 5506 State Road 19, P.O. Box
278, Waunakee, WI 53597 (608-849-5021)
Kruger, Kruger Seed, P.O. Box A Dike, IA 50624
(319-989-2414)
Lewis, Lewis Hybrids, Inc., P.O. Box 38/ 530 W. Maple Ave,.
Ursa, IL 62376 (217-964-2131)
Master Choice, Master Choice Hybrids, 3010 State Rt. 146 E,
Anna, IL 62906 (618-833-6552)
Midwest Seed Genetics, P.O. Box 518, Carrol, IA 51401
(800-369-8218)
Munson, Munson Hybrids, 1262 Knox Road 100 East,
Galesburg, IL 61401 (888-813-7333)
MWS, MWS Seeds LLC, 2737 N 700 E Rd., Ashkum, IL 60911
(815-698-2204)
NuTech, NuTech Seed, LLC, 36161 Highway 69, Forest City,
IA 50436 (800-942-6748)
OMG, Original Maize Genetics, 603 N, McKinstry Road
Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-338-5230)
Pioneer, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., 14171 Carole Dr.,
Bloomington, IL 61705. (309-821-9940)
Power Plus, Burrus Hybrids, 826 Arenzville Road, Arenzville,
IL 62611 (217-997-5511)
Prairie Hybrids, Prairie Hybrids, 27445 Hurd Rd., Deer Grove,
IL 61243 (815-438-7815)
Premium, Premium Seed, Inc., P.O. Box 218 1028 130th St. ,
Berwick, IL 61417 (309-462-2396)
Renk, Renk Seed Co., 6809 Wilburn Rd., Sun Prairie, WI
53590 (608-837-7351)
SG, Schillinger Genetics, 4200 Corporate Drive Suite 106, West
Des Moins IA 50266 (515-225-1166)
Select, Select Seed Hybrids, 277 W State Rd 218, Camden, IN
46917 (574-686-2743)
Steyer, Steyer Seeds, 6154 N. Co Rd 33, Tiffin, OH 44883
(800-231-4274)
Stone, Stone Seed Group, 5965 W. State Route 97, Pleasant
Plains, IL 62677 (217-546-8006)
Trisler, Trisler Seeds,Inc., 3274 E 800 North Rd., Fairmount,
IL 61841 (217-288-9301)
Walbash Valley, Wyckoff Hybrids, Inc., 594 E 400N,
Valparaiso, IN 46383. (219-462-6716)
Whata, Whata Hybrid, Inc., 8908 W. Sabin Church Rd., Pearl
City, IL 61062 (815-864-2290)
Whisnand, Whisnand Hybrids, 1220 East State Route 133,
Arcola, IL 61910. (217-268-3714)
Wilken, Wilken Seed Grains, Inc., P.O. Box 770 Pontiac, IL
61764. (815-844-3458)
Wyckoff, Wyckoff Hybrids, Inc., 594 E 400N, Valparaiso, IN
46383 (219-462-6716)
Wyffels, Wyffels Hybrids, 13344 US Hwy 6, Geneseo, IL 61254
(800-369-7833)
YIELDirect, YIELDirect, 603 N Mckinstry Road, Woodstock, IL
60098 (815-338-5230)