This is a continuation of the series on corn hybrid selection factors.
Select hybrids with resistance and/or tolerance to stalk rots, foliar diseases, and ear rots. The most common disease problems of corn in Delaware are anthracnose, gray leaf spot, Fusarium stalk rot and northern corn leaf spot. Red Root Rot was a particular problem this past year in Kent County. Corn growers should obtain information from their seed dealer on hybrid reactions to specific diseases that have caused problems or that have occurred locally.
Never purchase a hybrid without consulting performance data. Results of state, company, and county replicated hybrid performance trials should be reviewed before purchasing hybrids. Because weather conditions are unpredictable, the most reliable way to select superior hybrids is to consider performance during the last year and the previous year over as wide a range of locations and climatic conditions as possible. However, multi-year data for hybrids is becoming increasing difficult to obtain. Therefore, if limited to single year data, it’s important to try to evaluate a hybrid’s performance across a range of different growing conditions, for example compare the hybrid’s performance at test sites where rainfall was adequate with those where rainfall was limited and stress conditions may have occurred. Since assessment of a hybrid performance is enhanced by using a number of test sites, corn growers should check results of neighboring states including Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Certain companies also maintain a database of information from yield monitors on farms (such as the Willard Agri-service). This is shared with farmers in their program and can be a very useful tool for hybrid selection.
Information adapted from “Key Steps in Corn Hybrid Selection in 2009” by Dr. Peter R. Thomison Professor—OSU Extension State Corn Specialist The Ohio State University in the December 2008 issue of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Agronomist Quarterly Newsletter.
