Adriano T. Mastrodomenico and Fred E. Belowcropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu/documents/2015 MYP.pdf · Adriano T. Mastrodomenico and Fred E. Below Table of contents ! ... G16C59-3010

2015 Management Yield Potential Adriano T. Mastrodomenico and Fred E. Below

Table of contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 2

Materials and Methods .............................................................................................................................. 4

Yield Results - Champaign, IL ................................................................................................................. 6

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at Champaign, IL ................................ 12

Yield Data for DeKalb, IL ....................................................................................................................... 14

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at DeKalb, IL ....................................... 20

Yield Data for Harrisburg, IL ................................................................................................................ 22

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at Harrisburg, IL ................................. 28

Hybrid Performance under Different Agronomic Conditions and the Characterization of ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ Hybrids ........................................................................................................................ 30

Summary of Hybrids Agronomic Characteristics ................................................................................ 32

CHANNEL ........................................................................................................................................... 33

CROPLAN ........................................................................................................................................... 34

DEKALB .............................................................................................................................................. 37

GOLDEN HARVEST .......................................................................................................................... 39

PIONEER ............................................................................................................................................. 41

STONE .................................................................................................................................................. 43

References ................................................................................................................................................ 44

2

Introduction Hybrid selection, nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate, plant population, and row spacing are some of the most

important decisions that a farmer must make each growing season. The success of these decisions, however, is difficult to predict since the corn hybrid selected often interacts with the environment, and with the different crop management practices. Continued increases in corn yield will depend on a hybrid’s ability to utilize resources more efficiently when grown under intensified planting densities (Tollenaar and Lee, 2002) and under favorable agronomic conditions (Boomsma et al., 2009). Ruffo et al., (2015) showed that increased plant population needed to be in synergy with other intensified management factors in order to increase corn grain production. Moreover, it is important to understand the interactions between hybrid selection and yield response to different crop management factors in order to maximize corn productivity.

Between the years of 2012 and 2014, the Crop Physiology Laboratory has conducted hybrid trials termed Management Yield Potential (MYP). The objective of this research is to identify ‘Racehorse’ hybrids, or hybrids with adaptability to high yield environments (e.g, responsive to crop management), and ‘Workhorse’ hybrids, or hybrids with acceptable yields in a low fertility environment (e.g. tolerant to N loss) (Figure 1). In our original MYP approach, hybrids that combined high yield response to plant population (RTP, yield response between 32,000 and 45,000 plants acre-1 when grown with 240 lb N acre-1) and maximum yield response to N (RTN, yield response between 0 and 240 lb N acre-1 at 32,000 plants acre-1) were considered ‘Racehorse’ hybrids. Conversely, hybrids with high Check Plot (yield at 0 lb N acre-1) and a high initial response to N (InitN, yield response between 0 and 60 lb N acre-1 at 32,000 plants acre-1) were considered ‘Workhorse’ hybrids. This approach was especially successful for identification of ‘Workhorse’ hybrids since Check Plot and InitN are the most important factors for determining a hybrid’s stability over a range of production conditions, due to the large spatial variability in N availability usually existing within fields. Alternatively, characterization of ‘Racehorse’ hybrids may be more challenging since there are several agronomic factors involved in determining a hybrid’s ability to respond to greater levels of crop management.

In 2015, we developed a new approach for the Management Yield Potential trial including additional agronomic factors to estimate the ‘Racehorse’ index while maintaining a similar methodology for the estimation of the ‘Workhorse’ index. Hybrids can differ widely in their yield response to plant population and can achieve optimum yield over a relatively narrow population (Figure 2). Another important component of a ‘Racehorse’ hybrid is its yield response to higher plant populations in narrower row spacing (e.g. 20 inches instead of 30 inches), which would minimize intra-row plant competition and allow plants to better utilize light, water, and mineral nutrients. In addition to the RTN score, our new ‘Racehorse’ index also incorporates yield response to an intermediate plant population (IntRTP, yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), a maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP, yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), and the yield response to narrower row spacing (RTR, yield response between 30 and 20 inches row spacing at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 280 lb N acre-1). Our approach to characterizing ‘Workhorse’ hybrids is similar to previous years using the combination of high Check Plot yield and high InitN.

3

Figure 1. Example of the relationship between N fertilizer rate and corn grain yield for classification of ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ hybrids. ‘Workhorse’ hybrids have a higher check plot yield and a higher initial response to N, while ‘Racehorse’ hybrids exhibit a larger maximum response to fertilizer N.

Figure 2. Example of the characterization of a corn hybrid tolerant to high planting population, represented by an intermediate yield response to population (IntRTP, e.g the yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1) and a maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP, e.g yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1). For both IntRTP and MaxRTP, the characterization is done with a non-limiting rate of fertilizer N.

IntRTP

MaxRTP

4

Materials and Methods For 2015, the trial was planted using a precision plot planter with variable seeding rate capability

(SeedPro 360, ALMACO, Nevada, IA) at Champaign, IL (06 May), DeKalb, IL (22 May), and Harrisburg, IL (02 May). Plots were 17.5 feet in length with 30 or 20-inch row spacing and two rows in width. Force 3G (tefluthrin) insecticide was applied at planting at a rate of 4 oz acre-1, and Lumax EZ (3.25 qt acre-1) was applied after planting as a pre-emergence herbicide. Nitrogen treatments were broadcast applied with urea at 0, 60, and 280 lb N acre-1 between the V4-V6 developmental stages at Champaign, IL (28 May), DeKalb, IL (11 June), and Harrisburg, IL (02 June). Forty-three hybrids represented by six different seed brands, with relative maturities ranging from 104-117 days were evaluated at each site (Table 1). The six management treatments included: (i) 32,000 plants acre-1 at 30-inch row space and 0 lb N acre-1, (ii) 32,000 plants acre-1 at 30-inch row space and 60 lb N acre-1, (iii) 32,000 plants acre-1 at 30-inch row space and 280 lb N acre-1, (iv) 38,000 plants acre-1 at 30-inch row space and 280 lb N acre-1, (v) 44,000 plants acre-1 at 30-inch row space and 280 lb N acre -1, and (vi) 44,000 plants acre-1 at 20-inch row space and 280 lb N acre -1. At maturity, plots were harvested with a two-row plot combine and grain yield is reported as bushels acre-1 at 15.5% moisture concentration.

The treatments were arranged in a split block experimental design with four replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS V8 Institute, Cary, NC) and means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD test at the 0.10 level of significance. Normality for residuals and outlier observations were evaluated using Proc UNIVARIATE in SAS. Row space, hybrid, N fertilizer rate, and plant population were considered fixed effects, while block and interactions with blocks were considered random effects. Hybrids were ranked from 1 to 10 using the PROC RANK procedure of SAS to generate scores for Check Plot, initial N response (InitN), maximum response to N (RTN), intermediate yield response to population (IntRTP), maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP), and yield response to row space (RTR) within each location. Scores from each parameter were generated for each individual hybrid per location.

‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices were estimated using a multiple regression approach with the Smith-Hazel index (Smith, 1936; Hazel, 1943). Genotypic and phenotypic variance-covariance matrices among all the parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood in PROC MIXED of SAS (Holland, 2006). Index weights (vector) for each parameter were estimated by multiplying the phenotypic covariance matrix, the genotypic covariance matrix, and a total vector of weight = 1 (Eq. 1). ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices were calculated using the relative weights to each parameter multiplied by the scores (Eq. 2 and 3).

𝑏! = 𝑃!!𝐺𝑎 [1]

′𝑅𝑎𝑐𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥! = 𝑏!𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑅𝑇𝑃 + 𝑏!𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑅𝑇𝑃 + 𝑏!𝑅𝑇𝑁 + 𝑏!𝑅𝑇𝑅 [2] ′𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥! = 𝑏!𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 + 𝑏!𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑁 [3]

Where b is the vector of the weights of the indices, 𝑃!! is the inverse matrix of the phenotypic variance-covariance, G is the matrix of the genetic variance-covariance, and 𝑎 is the initial weight.

5

Table 1. A list of hybrids evaluated in the Management Yield Potential trial in 2015. Hybrids ranged in relative maturity from 104 to 117 days and were grown at Champaign, DeKalb and Harrisburg, IL.

Hybrid Company Brand CRM P0419AMX Pioneer Pioneer 104 5369SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 105

G06N80-3111 Syngenta Golden Harvest 106 5516SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 106

207-27STXRIB Monsanto Channel 107 G07B39-311A Syngenta Golden Harvest 107 G07F23-3111 Syngenta Golden Harvest 107

DKC58-06RIB Monsanto DeKalb 108 5887VT3P/RIB Winfield Croplan 108 5975VT3P/RIB Winfield Croplan 109

5938RIB Monsanto Stone 109 P0987AMX Pioneer Pioneer 109

G09E98-3000GT Syngenta Golden Harvest 109 G10T63-3000GT Syngenta Golden Harvest 110

6110SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 110 DKC61-54RIB Monsanto DeKalb 111

6065SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 111 6148RIB Monsanto Stone 111

G11K47-3010 Syngenta Golden Harvest 111 G10S30-3110 Syngenta Golden Harvest 111

DKC62-77RIB Monsanto DeKalb 112 DKC62-97RIB Monsanto DeKalb 112

6288RIB Monsanto Stone 112 P1221AMXT Pioneer Pioneer 112

G12J11-3111A Syngenta Golden Harvest 112 6265SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 112

DKC63-33RIB Monsanto DeKalb 113 DKC63-71RIB Monsanto DeKalb 113

P1339AM1 Pioneer Pioneer 113 G13G41-3000GT Syngenta Golden Harvest 113 6640VT3P/RIB Winfield Croplan 113

6594SS/RIB Winfield Croplan 113 214-45STXRIB Monsanto Channel 114 DKC64-87RIB Monsanto DeKalb 114

6448RIB Monsanto Stone 114 G14H66-3010A Syngenta Golden Harvest 114

G14Y81-GT Syngenta Golden Harvest 114 G14R38-3000GT Syngenta Golden Harvest 114

7087VT3P Winfield Croplan 114 215-05STXRIB Monsanto Channel 115 G16C59-3010 Syngenta Golden Harvest 116

7927VT3P/RIB Winfield Croplan 117 8621VT2P/RIB Winfield Croplan 117

6

Yield Results - Champaign, IL The following three sections correspond to the yield results for each treatment and hybrid, and the yield

responses to different agronomic management factors. The next four tables (e.g. Tables 2 to 5) describe the yield rank of the hybrids under high N conditions across different row space and planting population arrangements. Yield values for all treatment combinations are described in a summary table (e.g. Table 6). Yield response to different agronomic managements (e. g. Figure 3) and the optimum yield for each hybrid (e.g. Figure 4) are shown for each location.

Champaign was planted on the 28 May, 2015, and experienced a warm May, but average temperatures in June, but cooler than average in July and August. May had slightly above average rainfall, but in June, the whole state of Illinois experienced record rainfall (records dating back to 1886), with Champaign receiving 7 inches above normal. However, July and August was dry, with good pollination and grain- filling conditions.

Table 2. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 32,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at Champaign, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 323.1 23 6640VT3P/RIB 270.5 2 7927VT3P/RIB 303.4 24 6110SS/RIB 270.2 3 P1339AM1 295.6 25 6288RIB 269.1 4 DKC63-33RIB 294.8 26 6594SS/RIB 268.4 5 DKC62-77RIB 287.0 27 214-45STXRIB 265.3 6 6065SS/RIB 285.5 28 P1221AMXT 265.3 7 6148RIB 284.4 29 5975VT3P/RIB 262.2 8 G07F23-3111 284.1 30 DKC58-06RIB 262.1 9 6448RIB 283.1 31 P0987AMX 258.3

10 G11K47-3010 281.9 32 P0419AMX 258.2 11 G14R38-3000GT 280.0 33 G14H66-3010A 257.7 12 6265SS/RIB 279.7 34 G09E98-3000GT 255.6 13 G10T63-3000GT 277.3 35 5887VT3P/RIB 255.4 14 G16C59-3010 276.6 36 DKC63-71RIB 255.2 15 G12J11-3111A 275.1 37 207-27STXRIB 252.3 16 DKC64-87RIB 275.0 38 G10S30-3110 251.4 17 G07B39-3111A 274.7 39 G13G41-3000GT 251.0 18 G14Y81-GT 273.9 40 5516SS/RIB 247.8 19 DKC62-97RIB 273.5 41 5369SS/RIB 236.0 20 215-05STXRIB 272.7 42 5938RIB 233.9 21 7087VT3/P 272.5 43 G06N80-3111 232.0 22 DKC61-54RIB 271.4

Mean 269.8

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 18.1

7

Table 3. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 38,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at Champaign, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 316.7 23 P1221AMXT 274.4 2 7927VT3P/RIB 311.4 24 214-45STXRIB 274.2 3 G16C59-3010 308.5 25 6640VT3P/RIB 274.1 4 DKC63-33RIB 297.0 26 DKC62-97RIB 273.1 5 DKC64-87RIB 296.2 27 DKC58-06RIB 271.5 6 G14R38-3000GT 295.1 28 G07B39-3111A 270.3 7 G11K47-3010 294.2 29 6594SS/RIB 268.8 8 6448RIB 292.2 30 G14H66-3010A 268.4 9 DKC61-54RIB 290.8 31 5975VT3P/RIB 266.6

10 6065SS/RIB 288.7 32 DKC63-71RIB 266.0 11 G07F23-3111 288.1 33 207-27STXRIB 265.3 12 P1339AM1 287.4 34 5887VT3P/RIB 262.6 13 6265SS/RIB 287.3 35 5516SS/RIB 262.5 14 6110SS/RIB 287.2 36 P0987AMX 261.6 15 G12J11-3111A 286.6 37 6288RIB 259.2 16 215-05STXRIB 286.1 38 G10S30-3110 253.9 17 6148RIB 285.8 39 P0419AMX 251.7 18 G10T63-3000GT 285.7 40 G13G41-3000GT 247.5 19 G14Y81-GT 284.7 41 5369SS/RIB 244.5 20 DKC62-77RIB 284.4 42 5938RIB 233.6 21 G09E98-3000GT 284.4 43 G06N80-3111 231.5 22 7087VT3/P 277.2

Mean 276.7

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 19.8

8

Table 4. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing at Champaign, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 324.0 23 207-27STXRIB 273.8 2 6448RIB 308.8 24 DKC58-06RIB 273.5 3 7927VT3P/RIB 302.8 25 5887VT3P/RIB 270.8 4 G14R38-3000GT 298.5 26 215-05STXRIB 270.7 5 DKC63-33RIB 293.4 27 5975VT3P/RIB 269.8 6 6065SS/RIB 293.3 28 G07B39-3111A 269.5 7 G10T63-3000GT 290.8 29 DKC62-97RIB 269.2 8 P1339AM1 290.4 30 G09E98-3000GT 269.0 9 G11K47-3010 288.4 31 5516SS/RIB 264.5

10 7087VT3/P 285.0 32 P0419AMX 261.7 11 DKC62-77RIB 284.1 33 214-45STXRIB 261.5 12 G16C59-3010 284.0 34 DKC63-71RIB 261.0 13 G07F23-3111 283.7 35 P0987AMX 258.9 14 P1221AMXT 281.6 36 G10S30-3110 257.3 15 G12J11-3111A 280.9 37 G14H66-3010A 253.4 16 6110SS/RIB 279.4 38 6288RIB 249.8 17 G14Y81-GT 278.9 39 G13G41-3000GT 248.8 18 DKC64-87RIB 278.6 40 6640VT3P/RIB 248.1 19 DKC61-54RIB 278.3 41 5938RIB 240.3 20 6265SS/RIB 278.1 42 5369SS/RIB 239.8 21 6148RIB 276.8 43 G06N80-3111 224.3 22 6594SS/RIB 274.6

Mean 273.7 LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 19.0

9

Table 5. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing at Champaign, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 359.5 23 G16C59-3010 283.0 2 7927VT3P/RIB 333.9 24 DKC62-97RIB 280.6 3 G10T63-3000GT 320.3 25 6594SS/RIB 280.5 4 6448RIB 316.4 26 6640VT3P/RIB 280.3 5 6065SS/RIB 313.2 27 G13G41-3000GT 280.1 6 7087VT3/P 313.2 28 215-05STXRIB 278.7 7 G11K47-3010 309.9 29 P1221AMXT 272.5 8 P1339AM1 309.3 30 DKC58-06RIB 268.8 9 DKC64-87RIB 306.2 31 G10S30-3110 268.8

10 G07B39-3111A 304.0 32 6288RIB 266.3 11 DKC61-54RIB 303.7 33 214-45STXRIB 266.1 12 6148RIB 300.8 34 5887VT3P/RIB 264.7 13 G12J11-3111A 299.9 35 207-27STXRIB 260.9 14 G07F23-3111 299.2 36 5516SS/RIB 259.3 15 6265SS/RIB 298.8 37 P0987AMX 255.7 16 DKC63-71RIB 296.7 38 5369SS/RIB 244.2 17 DKC62-77RIB 295.5 39 P0419AMX 240.6 18 G14R38-3000GT 292.5 40 5975VT3P/RIB 234.0 19 6110SS/RIB 292.1 41 5938RIB 231.7 20 G09E98-3000GT 290.5 42 G14H66-3010A 220.2 21 G14Y81-GT 285.0 43 G06N80-3111 205.7 22 DKC63-33RIB 284.5

Mean 282.9

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 26.4

10

Table 6. Individual yield values of all hybrid entries (n = 43) grown under two levels of row spacing (30 and 20 inches), three levels of plant population (32,000, 38,000, and 44,000 plants acre-1) and three levels of N supply (0, 60, and 280 lb N acre-1) at Champaign, IL in 2015. Trial means and phenotypic ranges (smallest and largest hybrid means) shown for comparison. Hybrids are sorted by company.

30 in 20 in

32,000 pl /acre 38,000 pl/a 44,000 pl /a 44,000 /a Hybrid 0 lb N/a 60 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb /a

------------- bu acre-1 ------------ -------- bu acre-1 -------- bu acre-1 G14H66-3010A 145.7 241.6 257.7 268.4 253.4 220.2

G14Y81-GT 138.8 238.7 273.9 284.7 278.9 285.0 G14R38-3000GT 130.8 233.4 280.0 295.1 298.5 292.5

G06N80-3111 138.4 230.9 232.0 231.5 224.3 205.7 G07B39-3111A 125.6 238.8 274.7 270.3 269.5 304.0 G07F23-3111 159.5 241.7 284.1 288.1 283.7 299.2

G09E98-3000GT 138.7 238.2 255.6 284.4 269.0 290.5 G10S30-3110 122.6 220.1 251.4 253.9 257.3 268.8

G10T63-3000GT 166.8 244.7 277.3 285.7 290.8 320.3 G11K47-3010 140.6 240.5 281.9 294.2 288.4 309.9 G12J11-3111A 119.1 233.9 275.1 286.6 280.9 299.9

G13G41-3000GT 151.6 229.7 251.0 247.5 248.8 280.1 G16C59-3010 124.7 241.3 276.6 308.5 284.0 283.0 5369SS/RIB 145.6 248.0 236.0 244.5 239.8 244.2 5516SS/RIB 123.5 225.5 247.8 262.5 264.5 259.3

5887VT3P/RIB 145.7 230.7 255.4 262.6 270.8 264.7 5975VT3P/RIB 139.2 240.5 262.2 266.6 269.8 234.0

6065SS/RIB 158.7 245.3 285.5 288.7 293.3 313.2 6110SS/RIB 140.2 233.8 270.2 287.2 279.4 292.1 6265SS/RIB 112.1 226.1 279.7 287.3 278.1 298.8 6594SS/RIB 139.6 227.2 268.4 268.8 274.6 280.5

6640VT3P/RIB 135.1 246.6 270.5 274.1 248.1 280.3 7087VT3/P 144.7 224.5 272.5 277.2 285.0 313.2

7927VT3P/RIB 156.3 280.9 303.4 311.4 302.8 333.9 8621VT2P/RIB 137.1 246.0 323.1 316.7 324.0 359.5 207-27STXRIB 146.0 227.9 252.3 265.3 273.8 260.9 214-45STXRIB 118.9 212.8 265.3 274.2 261.5 266.1 215-05STXRIB 162.2 255.3 272.7 286.1 270.7 278.7

5938RIB 115.9 210.7 233.9 233.6 240.3 231.7 6148RIB 152.4 265.0 284.4 285.8 276.8 300.8 6288RIB 132.7 227.8 269.1 259.2 249.8 266.3 6448RIB 146.2 244.7 283.1 292.2 308.8 316.4

DKC58-06RIB 140.4 221.0 262.1 271.5 273.5 268.8 DKC61-54RIB 165.6 265.6 271.4 290.8 278.3 303.7 DKC62-77RIB 144.7 224.8 287.0 284.4 284.1 295.5 DKC62-97RIB 141.9 244.1 273.5 273.1 269.2 280.6 DKC63-33RIB 134.6 247.3 294.8 297.0 293.4 284.5 DKC63-71RIB 117.8 219.6 255.2 266.0 261.0 296.7 DKC64-87RIB 152.6 271.1 275.0 296.2 278.6 306.2

P0419AMX 131.1 228.1 258.2 251.7 261.7 240.6 P0987AMX 143.9 219.2 258.3 261.6 258.9 255.7

P1221AMXT 135.2 223.5 265.3 274.4 281.6 272.5 P1339AM1 157.1 243.4 295.6 287.4 290.4 309.3

LSD (P<0.1) ------------25.6 † ------------ ------ 20.7 ‡ ------ 27.1 § Average 139.9 237.2 269.8 276.6 273.7 282.9 Range 112-166 210-280 232-323 231-316 224-324 205-359

† Least significant difference (LSD) provided for hybrid x N rate interaction. ‡ Least significant difference (LSD) provided for hybrid x population interaction. § Least significant difference (LSD) provided for hybrid.

11

Figure 3. Yield response to different agronomic management practices for intermediate yield response to population (IntRTP, yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP, yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), and yield response to narrower row spacing (RTR, yield response between 30 and 20 inches row spacing at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 280 lb N acre-1) at Champaign, IL.

12

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at Champaign, IL CROPLAN

GOLDEN HARVEST

Figure 4. Yield means for the different Croplan and Golden Harvest hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at Champaign, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

13

MONSANTO

PIONEER

Figure 5. Yield means for the different Monsanto brands and Pioneer hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at Champaign, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

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Yield Data for DeKalb, IL

In 2015, DeKalb, IL experienced a warm May, but cooler than average temperatures the remainder of the growing season. In June, the whole state of Illinois experienced record rainfall (records dating back to 1886), and DeKalb received 8” above normal rainfall. The above average rainfall continued throughout July, but grain-filling finished with a dry August.

Table 7. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 32,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at DeKalb, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 6148RIB 265.6 23 G09E98-3000GT 228.3 2 7927VT3P/RIB 257.8 24 DKC62-77RIB 227.2 3 DKC61-54RIB 257.1 25 DKC62-97RIB 225.9 4 6594SS/RIB 255.0 26 G10S30-3110 225.6 5 6110SS/RIB 252.9 27 G12J11-3111A 225.4 6 DKC64-87RIB 251.2 28 G14Y81-GT 220.9 7 DKC58-06RIB 249.8 29 G16C59-3010 220.6 8 207-27STXRIB 248.8 30 G10T63-3000GT 219.4 9 DKC63-33RIB 245.9 31 G07B39-3111A 218.8

10 6448RIB 242.0 32 6288RIB 214.3 11 215-05STXRIB 240.5 33 P0419AMX 213.7 12 DKC63-71RIB 240.0 34 5887VT3P/RIB 210.3 13 7087VT2P/RIB 239.3 35 G14R38-3000GT 208.2 14 214-45STXRIB 237.9 36 8621VT2P/RIB 206.7 15 P1221AMXT 236.1 37 5516SS/RIB 204.7 16 G07F23-3111 235.6 38 P0987AMX 203.1 17 6065SS/RIB 233.6 39 5369SS/RIB 198.6 18 6265SS/RIB 232.3 40 5938RIB 195.2 19 5975VT3P/RIB 231.2 41 G06N80-3111 183.8 20 G11K47-3010 231.1 42 G14H66-3010A 179.8 21 6640VT3P/RIB 229.5 43 G13G41-3000GT 174.0 22 P1339AM1 228.6

Mean 226.6 LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 20.1

15

Table 8. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 38,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at DeKalb, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 DKC61-54RIB 281.6 23 P1221AMXT 226.7 2 207-27STXRIB 266.1 24 DKC62-77RIB 226.6 3 6148RIB 262.8 25 P1339AM1 225.5 4 DKC64-87RIB 257.1 26 G10T63-3000GT 224.2 5 214-45STXRIB 257.0 27 G09E98-3000GT 221.7 6 6594SS/RIB 255.3 28 G10S30-3110 217.7 7 6448RIB 251.3 29 P0419AMX 216.7 8 DKC58-06RIB 246.6 30 5516SS/RIB 215.2 9 DKC63-33RIB 245.7 31 6288RIB 212.7

10 G11K47-3010 244.7 32 G07B39-3111A 210.2 11 6110SS/RIB 243.8 33 8621VT2P/RIB 209.1 12 215-05STXRIB 241.1 34 G14R38-3000GT 209.1 13 DKC62-97RIB 239.1 35 5938RIB 208.7 14 5975VT3P/RIB 237.9 36 5369SS/RIB 204.6 15 DKC63-71RIB 237.0 37 5887VT3P/RIB 204.2 16 6265SS/RIB 234.8 38 G16C59-3010 203.9 17 G07F23-3111 234.7 39 G14Y81-GT 203.7 18 7927VT3P/RIB 233.4 40 P0987AMX 188.6 19 6640VT3P/RIB 230.8 41 G06N80-3111 182.8 20 G12J11-3111A 230.4 42 G13G41-3000GT 177.4 21 6065SS/RIB 228.8 43 G14H66-3010A 166.1 22 7087VT2P/RIB 226.8

Mean 226.5

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 27.6

16

Table 9. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid 3 entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at DeKalb, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 DKC61-54RIB 271.4 23 DKC62-97RIB 219.6 2 207-27STXRIB 251.3 24 G11K47-3010 218.2 3 DKC64-87RIB 250.3 25 5516SS/RIB 217.8 4 6594SS/RIB 250.2 26 G14Y81-GT 216.7 5 6148RIB 249.5 27 G16C59-3010 215.8 6 214-45STXRIB 249.1 28 G10T63-3000GT 212.8 7 5975VT3P/RIB 243.6 29 P0419AMX 207.5 8 DKC58-06RIB 239.2 30 P1339AM1 206.5 9 DKC63-33RIB 237.3 31 G09E98-3000GT 199.8

10 6448RIB 236.5 32 G14R38-3000GT 197.5 11 7927VT3P/RIB 233.1 33 5369SS/RIB 197.3 12 DKC63-71RIB 232.4 34 P0987AMX 195.8 13 DKC62-77RIB 231.8 35 G07B39-3111A 195.1 14 G07F23-3111 231.2 36 6288RIB 194.8 15 G12J11-3111A 230.9 37 8621VT2P/RIB 191.8 16 6065SS/RIB 230.7 38 5887VT3P/RIB 188.7 17 6110SS/RIB 226.4 39 5938RIB 178.4 18 215-05STXRIB 226.2 40 G13G41-3000GT 177.6 19 6265SS/RIB 225.7 41 G10S30-3110 175.2 20 6640VT3P/RIB 223.3 42 G06N80-3111 173.9 21 7087VT2P/RIB 222.1 43 G14H66-3010A 157.6 22 P1221AMXT 222.0

Mean 217.5

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 23.8

17

Table 10. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing at DeKalb, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 215-05STXRIB 275.9 23 5516SS/RIB 208.1 2 DKC63-71RIB 257.5 24 P1339AM1 206.5 3 G11K47-3010 255.1 25 P0987AMX 206.3 4 6594SS/RIB 248.8 26 G10T63-3000GT 206.1 5 6148RIB 241.4 27 DKC58-06RIB 204.7 6 7087VT2P/RIB 238.8 28 P1221AMXT 203.3 7 G07F23-3111 228.6 29 G09E98-3000GT 199.5 8 G12J11-3111A 228.0 30 P0419AMX 196.8 9 6110SS/RIB 227.4 31 6640VT3P/RIB 196.8

10 DKC64-87RIB 224.7 32 5975VT3P/RIB 192.5 11 DKC63-33RIB 221.0 33 G10S30-3110 189.4 12 DKC62-77RIB 220.9 34 8621VT2P/RIB 189.3 13 6265SS/RIB 219.9 35 6288RIB 187.5 14 207-27STXRIB 219.7 36 G16C59-3010 186.3 15 214-45STXRIB 219.0 37 G13G41-3000GT 185.3 16 6448RIB 218.8 38 5887VT3P/RIB 183.2 17 6065SS/RIB 216.6 39 G14R38-3000GT 177.6 18 DKC62-97RIB 216.3 40 5938RIB 165.6 19 DKC61-54RIB 215.2 41 5369SS/RIB 155.4 20 7927VT3P/RIB 213.7 42 G06N80-3111 154.5 21 G14Y81-GT 212.3 43 G14H66-3010A 135.1 22 G07B39-3111A 209.1

Mean 208.3

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 37.7

18

Table 11. Individual yield values of all hybrid entries (n = 43) grown under two levels of row spacing (30 and 20 inches), three levels of plant population (32,000, 38,000, and 44,000 plants acre-1) and three levels of N supply (0, 60, and 280 lb N acre-1) at DeKalb, IL in 2015. Trial means and phenotypic ranges (smallest and largest hybrid means) shown for comparison. Hybrids are sorted by company.

30 in 20 in

32,000 pl / acre 38,000 pl/a 44,000 pl /a 44,000 /a Hybrid 0 lb N/a 60 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb /a

------------- bu acre-1 ------------ -------- bu acre-1 -------- bu acre-1 G14H66-3010A 123.6 197.1 179.8 166.1 157.6 135.1

G14Y81-GT 155.3 218.5 220.9 203.7 216.7 212.3 G14R38-3000GT 145.6 212.5 208.2 209.1 197.5 177.6

G06N80-3111 136.4 178.0 183.8 182.8 173.9 154.5 G07B39-3111A 142.8 204.7 218.8 210.2 195.1 209.1 G07F23-3111 164.2 225.3 235.6 234.7 231.2 228.6

G09E98-3000GT 138.7 222.3 228.3 221.7 199.8 199.5 G10S30-3110 156.6 225.3 225.6 217.7 175.2 189.4

G10T63-3000GT 130.7 214.1 219.4 224.2 212.8 206.1 G11K47-3010 131.5 210.2 231.1 244.7 218.2 255.1 G12J11-3111A 153.9 215.5 225.4 230.4 230.9 228

G13G41-3000GT 127.9 185.8 174.0 177.4 177.6 185.3 G16C59-3010 118.1 193.9 220.6 203.9 215.8 186.3 5369SS/RIB 134.4 196.0 198.6 204.6 197.3 155.4 5516SS/RIB 119.7 214.0 204.7 215.2 217.8 208.1

5887VT3P/RIB 117.6 212.1 210.3 204.2 188.7 183.2 5975VT3P/RIB 138.3 231.5 231.2 237.9 243.6 192.5

6065SS/RIB 148.6 230.8 233.6 228.8 230.7 216.6 6110SS/RIB 160.5 238.5 252.9 243.8 26.4 227.4 6265SS/RIB 132.2 222.0 232.3 234.8 225.7 219.9 6594SS/RIB 166.3 248.8 255.0 255.3 250.2 248.8

6640VT3P/RIB 141.5 222.5 229.5 230.8 223.3 196.8 7087VT3/P 129.8 214.6 239.3 226.8 222.1 238.8

7927VT3P/RIB 112.9 218.4 257.8 233.4 233.1 213.7 8621VT2P/RIB 165.5 212.0 206.7 209.1 191.8 189.3 207-27STXRIB 149.8 233.7 248.8 266.1 251.3 219.7 214-45STXRIB 139.1 221.8 237.9 257.0 249.1 219 215-05STXRIB 135.9 230.5 240.5 241.1 226.2 275.9

5938RIB 134.0 198.5 195.2 208.7 178.4 165.6 6148RIB 151.4 237.0 265.6 262.7 249.5 241.4 6288RIB 156.1 215.8 214.3 212.7 194.8 187.5 6448RIB 132.4 219.4 242.0 251.3 236.5 218.8

DKC58-06RIB 151.9 234.8 249.8 246.6 239.2 204.7 DKC61-54RIB 158.2 243.2 257.1 281.6 271.4 215.2 DKC62-77RIB 144.7 227.2 227.2 226.6 231.8 220.9 DKC62-97RIB 149.7 233.4 225.9 239.1 219.6 216.3 DKC63-33RIB 144.3 234.6 245.9 245.7 237.3 221 DKC63-71RIB 151.5 238.0 240.0 237.0 232.4 257.5 DKC64-87RIB 157.0 240.9 251.2 257.1 250.3 224.7

P0419AMX 116.8 208.4 213..7 216.7 207.5 196.8 P0987AMX 123.8 201.2 203.1 188.6 195.8 206.3

P1221AMXT 142.7 221.5 236.1 226.7 222.0 203.3 P1339AM1 126.3 222.9 228.6 225.5 206.5 206.5

LSD (P<0.1) ------------22.0 †------------ ------ 25.0 ‡ ------ 37.6 § Average 140.8 219.2 226.5 226.5 217.5 208.3 Range 112-166 177-248 173-265 166-281 157-271 135-275


19

Figure 6. Yield response to different agronomic management practices for intermediate yield response to population (IntRTP, yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP, yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), and the yield response to narrower row spacing (RTR, yield response between 30 and 20 inches row spacing at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 280 lb N acre-1) at DeKalb, IL

20

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at DeKalb, IL CROPLAN

GOLDEN HARVEST

Figure 7. Yield means for the different Croplan and Golden Harvest hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at DeKalb, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

21

MONSANTO

PIONEER

Figure 8. Yield means for the different Monsanto brands and Pioneer hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at DeKalb, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

22

Yield Data for Harrisburg, IL In 2015, Harrisburg, IL experienced temperatures near average from spring through July, and slightly

cooler than average temperatures in August. In May, Harrisburg was slightly drier than average, but in June, Harrisburg received about 4 inches above normal rainfall, similar to the whole state of Illinois with record rainfall in June (records dating back to 1886). July continued with greater than average rainfall, but August was drier than average. Table 12. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 32,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at Harrisburg, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 271.9 23 DKC62-77RIB 221.8 2 7927VT3P/RIB 249.9 24 G10T63-3000GT 220.3 3 G16C59-GT 249.5 25 6288RIB 220.3 4 6448RIB 240.4 26 G14H66-3010A 217.7 5 G11K47-GT 238.6 27 DKC62-97RIB 217.5 6 DKC63-33RIB 236.7 28 P1221AMXT 216.8 7 P1339AM1 235.8 29 P0419AMX 215.6 8 215-05STXRIB 235.5 30 G14R38 214.0 9 6065SS 235.2 31 G12J11-3111A 210.4

10 DKC63-71RIB 233.3 32 207-27STXRIB 210.2 11 G07B39-3111A 233.3 33 G09E98-3000GT 209.8 12 G07F23-3111 229.7 34 G10S30-3110 209.3 13 G14Y81-3010 229.6 35 G13G41-3000GT 207.0 14 6640VT3P 228.8 36 5516SS 206.7 15 DKC64-87RIB 228.2 37 P0987AMX 204.4 16 6148RIB 226.7 38 6594SS 196.9 17 7087VT2P/RIB 223.9 39 5887VT3P/RIB 191.4 18 214-45STXRIB 223.4 40 DKC58-06RIB 190.4 19 5975VT3P 223.1 41 G06N80-3111 187.2 20 6110SS 223.0 42 5369SS 185.4 21 6265SS 222.8 43 5938RIB 182.5 22 DKC61-54RIB 222.2

Mean 220.4

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 15.4

23

Table 13. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid 3 entries grown under agronomic conditions of 38,000 plants acre-

1, 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at Harrisburg, IL in 2015. Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield

bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 G16C59-GT 266.8 23 G14R38 227.9 2 8621VT2P/RIB 262.9 24 G09E98-3000GT 227.3 3 6448RIB 256.0 25 6288RIB 224.5 4 DKC63-33RIB 252.6 26 P1221AMXT 224.4 5 P1339AM1 250.9 27 G10T63-3000GT 223.6 6 G11K47-GT 249.0 28 7087VT2P/RIB 223.1 7 215-05STXRIB 247.8 29 5975VT3P 222.4 8 6065SS 244.9 30 DKC62-97RIB 222.2 9 6110SS 243.0 31 G14H66-3010A 216.6

10 7927VT3P/RIB 242.9 32 207-27STXRIB 213.0 11 DKC63-71RIB 242.2 33 5516SS 211.7 12 DKC64-87RIB 240.9 34 G10S30-3110 211.4 13 G14Y81-3010 240.1 35 6594SS 210.5 14 6640VT3P 239.8 36 P0419AMX 209.4 15 214-45STXRIB 237.2 37 DKC58-06RIB 207.4 16 G07B39-3111A 235.8 38 G13G41-3000GT 207.1 17 G07F23-3111 234.9 39 P0987AMX 199.1 18 6148RIB 232.5 40 5369SS 195.6 19 DKC61-54RIB 231.1 41 G06N80-3111 191.6 20 G12J11-3111A 231.1 42 5887VT3P/RIB 188.6 21 DKC62-77RIB 229.8 43 5938RIB 188.2 22 6265SS 229.8

Mean 227.6

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 17.5

24

Table 14. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1, and 280 lb N acre-1, and 30-inch row spacing at Harrisburg, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 273.0 23 DKC62-97RIB 228.3 2 G16C59-GT 272.1 24 G12J11-3111A 226.7 3 6448RIB 259.6 25 G09E98-3000GT 226.6 4 P1339AM1 256.2 26 G14R38 226.2 5 DKC63-71RIB 253.6 27 DKC62-77RIB 223.8 6 215-05STXRIB 253.5 28 G07F23-3111 222.3 7 G14Y81-3010 250.0 29 7087VT2P/RIB 221.6 8 G11K47-GT 249.2 30 5516SS 219.4 9 214-45STXRIB 246.1 31 P0419AMX 216.9

10 DKC64-87RIB 246.0 32 207-27STXRIB 216.6 11 DKC63-33RIB 244.7 33 G14H66-3010A 215.7 12 6110SS 244.2 34 6594SS 212.6 13 6065SS 243.9 35 G10S30-3110 212.0 14 DKC61-54RIB 240.1 36 P0987AMX 211.3 15 6640VT3P 237.4 37 DKC58-06RIB 205.9 16 7927VT3P/RIB 237.4 38 5887VT3P/RIB 204.6 17 5975VT3P 234.3 39 G13G41-3000GT 201.7 18 G07B39-3111A 232.4 40 G06N80-3111 195.8 19 P1221AMXT 232.3 41 5369SS 191.7 20 6288RIB 231.2 42 6148RIB 190.5 21 G10T63-3000GT 228.8 43 5938RIB 190.5 22 6265SS 228.4

Mean 229.2

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 15.5

25

Table 15. Grain yield of the 43 hybrid entries grown under agronomic conditions of 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing at Harrisburg, IL in 2015.

Rank Hybrid Grain yield Rank Hybrid Grain yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1 1 8621VT2P/RIB 309.0 23 DKC62-97RIB 243.3 2 G16C59-GT 282.5 24 DKC62-77RIB 243.0 3 G11K47-GT 276.4 25 G14R38 242.7 4 6448RIB 267.1 26 G14Y81-3010 242.2 5 7927VT3P/RIB 265.8 27 P122AMXT 239.2 6 DKC63-71RIB 263.0 28 P0419AMX 238.2 7 215-05STXRIB 259.9 29 G10T63-3000GT 236.7 8 G12J11-3111A 257.7 30 P0987AMX 234.7 9 DKC61-54RIB 254.8 31 6148RIB 231.4

10 6065SS 254.8 32 G10S30-3110 228.7 11 P1339AM1 254.4 33 G13G41-3000GT 226.4 12 G09E98-3000GT 254.1 34 5516SS 225.9 13 G07F23-3111 252.8 35 207-27STXRIB 220.7 14 7087VT2P/RIB 250.3 36 G14H66-3010A 220.5 15 DKC63-33RIB 248.7 37 6594SS 220.2 16 DKC64-87RIB 248.0 38 5887VT3P/RIB 218.6 17 6640VT3P 247.8 39 5975VT3P 216.4 18 6265SS 246.9 40 5369SS 205.4 19 6110SS 246.4 41 DKC58-06RIB 193.5 20 214-45STXRIB 246.2 42 G06N80-3111 188.1 21 G07B39-3111A 244.3 43 5938RIB 186.3 22 6288RIB 244.3

Mean 241.3

LSD (P ≤ 0.10) 22.6

26

Table 16. Individual yield values of all hybrid entries (n = 43) grown under two levels of row spacing (30 and 20 inches), three levels of plant population (32,000, 38,000, and 44,000 plants acre-1) and three levels of N supply (0, 60, and 280 lb N acre-1) at Harrisburg, IL in 2015. Trial means and phenotypic ranges (smallest and largest hybrid means) shown for comparison. Hybrids are sorted by company. 30 in 20 in

32,000 pl / acre 38,000 pl/a 44,000 pl /a 44,000 /a Hybrid 0 lb N/a 60 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb N/a 280 lb /a

------------- bu acre-1 ------------ -------- bu acre-1 -------- bu acre-1 G14H66-3010A 100.4 206.7 217.7

216.6 215.7 220.5

G14Y81-GT 97.0 215.6 229.6

240.1 250.0 242.2 G14R38-3000GT 81.9 194.4 214.0

227.9 226.2 242..7

G06N80-3111 94.5 179.7 187.2

191.6 195.8 188.1 G07B39-3111A 84.1 226.9 233.3

235.8 232.4 244.3

G07F23-3111 97.2 210.9 229.7

234.9 222.3 252.8 G09E98-3000GT 104.6 194.4 209.8

227.3 226.6 254.1

G10S30-3110 88.6 198.0 209.3

211.4 212.0 228.7 G10T63-3000GT 94.4 202.6 220.3

223.6 228.8 236.7

G11K47-3010 79.5 218.0 238.6

249.0 249.2 276.4 G12J11-3111A 82.3 206.9 210.4

231.1 226.7 257.7

G13G41-3000GT 86.8 195.7 207.0

207.1 201.7 226.4 G16C59-3010 83.8 222.3 249.5

266.8 272.1 282.5

5369SS/RIB 93.6 175.0 185.4

195.6 191.7 205.4 5516SS/RIB 81.5 201.9 206.7

211.7 219.4 225.9

5887VT3P/RIB 88.8 189.3 191.4

188.6 204.6 218.6 5975VT3P/RIB 94.1 207.9 223.1

222.4 234.3 216.4

6065SS/RIB 91.9 196.9 235.2

244.9 243.9 254.8 6110SS/RIB 86.3 207.6 223.0

243.0 244.2 246.4

6265SS/RIB 75.4 197.1 222.8

229.8 228.4 246.9 6594SS/RIB 86.7 188.2 196.9

210.5 212.6 220.2

6640VT3P/RIB 99.1 210.9 228.8

239.8 237.4 247.8 7087VT3/P 83.0 195.1 223.9

223.1 221.6 250.3

7927VT3P/RIB 96.0 216.9 249.9

242.9 237.4 265.8 8621VT2P/RIB 99.3 238.2 271.9

262.9 273.0 309

207-27STXRIB 92.0 190.3 210.2

213.0 216.6 220.7 214-45STXRIB 93.5 200.4 223.4

237.2 246.1 246.2

215-05STXRIB 92.0 201.7 235.5

247.8 253.5 259.9 5938RIB 74.7 166.7 182.5

188.2 190.5 186.3

6148RIB 97.7 201.9 226.7

232.5 190.5 231.4 6288RIB 85.8 207.4 220.3

224.5 231.2 244.3

6448RIB 103.5 211.2 240.4

256.0 259.6 267.1 DKC58-06RIB 87.5 170.1 190.4

207.4 205.9 193.5

DKC61-54RIB 97.3 200.0 222.2

231.1 240.1 254.8 DKC62-77RIB 94.4 201.9 221.8

229.8 223.6 243

DKC62-97RIB 90.7 193.1 217.5

222.2 228.3 243.3 DKC63-33RIB 96.3 217.0 236.7

252.6 244.7 248.7

DKC63-71RIB 80.5 212.1 233.3

242.2 253.6 263 DKC64-87RIB 95.6 208.4 228.2

240.9 246.0 248

P0419AMX 76.8 182.3 215.6

209.4 216.9 238.2 P0987AMX 74.7 183.5 204.4

199.1 211.3 234.7

P1221AMXT 59.4 204.7 216.8

224.4 232.3 239.2 P1339AM1 91.4 204.3 235.8

250.9 256.2 254.4

LSD (P<0.1) ------------14.0 † ------------

------ 17.1 ‡ ------ 22.6 §

Average 89 201.2 220.4 227.6 229.2 241.3 Range 59-104 166-238 182-271 188-266 190-273 186-309


27

Figure 9. Yield response to different agronomic management practices for intermediate yield response to population (IntRTP, yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), maximum yield response to plant population (MaxRTP, yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), and the yield response to narrower row spacing (RTR, yield response between 30 and 20 inches row spacing at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 280 lb N acre-1) at Harrisburg, IL

28

Optimum Yield under High N Conditions for Hybrids at Harrisburg, IL CROPLAN

GOLDEN HARVEST

Figure 10. Yield means for the different Croplan and Golden Harvest hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at Harrisburg, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

29

MONSANTO

PIONEER

Figure 11. Yield means for the different Monsanto brands and Pioneer hybrids under high N conditions (280 lb N acre-1) under different row space and plant population configurations at Harrisburg, IL. * Represents average yield of all 43 hybrids for each treatment in the trial.

30

Hybrid Performance under Different Agronomic Conditions and the Characterization of ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ Hybrids

Commercial hybrids vary widely for their tolerance to low N, yield response to N fertilizer, row spacing, and optimal plant population. Grain yield was also highly affected by location, which interacted with the other agronomic factors. The lowest yield under low N conditions and the highest yield response to N fertilizer were obtained at Harrisburg, IL. In addition to check plot and N response, Harrisburg also exhibited the largest response to plant population and to narrower row spacing. The largest grain yield was obtained with 44,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing at Champaign, IL (average of 282.9 bu acre-1) and Harrisburg, IL (average of 239.3 bu acre-1), and with 32,000 plants acre-1, 280 lb N acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing at DeKalb, IL (average of 226.6 bu acre-1). Heavy rainfall during mid-June may have decreased the yield response to most agronomic factors evaluated at DeKalb, IL.

The evaluation of crop responses to different agronomic factors gives growers and agronomists the opportunity to better position their hybrids and obtain the maximum yield potential of the hybrid using the recommended agricultural management. Typical variety testing methods using ‘standard’ agronomic conditions (e.g., 280 kg N ha-1 at 32,000 plants acre-1) are used to determine a hybrid’s yield potential, but do not provide information regarding a hybrid’s responses to N loss, increased plant population, or narrower row spacing. Intensive crop management practices are necessary in order to decrease the current corn yield gap existing in the U.S Corn Belt (Ruffo et al., 2015). Nonetheless, hybrid selection based on agronomic management performance is a key component to the success of intensive farming practices.

The MYP trial identifies the impact on yield from the most important agronomic factors (e.g. N rate, hybrid selection, plant population, and row spacing) and uses the yield responses to characterize corn hybrids based on their tolerance to N loss (‘Workhorse’) and response to intensive crop management systems (‘Racehorse’). We have evaluated the genotypic and phenotypic variance and covariance from each agronomic factor to estimate the ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. This approach takes in consideration environmental effects and the correlation of the different agronomic factors. Our objective is to develop indices that identify the agronomic characteristics of a hybrid due to its genetic effects. Using multivariate analysis, the relative weights of the trial for IntRTP, MaxRTP, RTN, RTR, Check, and InitN parameters were 0.02, 0.004, 0.48, 0.48, respectively (Eq. 4). For the Workhorse Index, the Check, and InitN parameters were found to be weighted at 0.35, and 0.64, respectively (Eq. 5). ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ indices and the scores for each hybrid across locations are represented on Tables 17 and 18.

′𝑅𝑎𝑐𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥! = 0.02 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑅𝑇𝑃 + 0.004 𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑅𝑇𝑃 + 0.48 𝑅𝑇𝑁 + 0.48 𝑅𝑇𝑅 [4] ′𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥! = 0.35 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 + 0.64 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑁 [5]

31

Table 17. Check plot scores (yield at 0 lb N acre-1), initial N response scores (InitN, yield response between 0 and 60 lb N acre-1 at 32,000 plants acre-1), and ‘Workhorse’ indices at Champaign, DeKalb, and Harrisburg, IL in 2015.

Champaign DeKalb Harrisburg Hybrid Check InitN WHI Check InitN WHI Check InitN WHI

G14H66-3010A 7 5 6 2 3 3 10 3 5 G14Y81-GT 4 6 5 8 2 4 8 7 7

G14R38-3000GT 2 8 6 6 3 4 2 6 5 G06N80-3111 4 3 3 4 1 2 7 1 3

G07B39-3111A 2 9 7 6 2 3 3 10 8 G07F23-3111 10 2 5 10 1 4 9 7 8

G09E98-3000GT 4 6 5 5 6 6 10 1 4 G10S30-3110 2 5 4 9 3 5 4 5 5

G10T63-3000GT 10 1 4 3 6 5 7 4 5 G11K47-3010 6 6 6 3 4 4 2 9 7 G12J11-3111A 1 10 7 8 2 4 2 9 7

G13G41-3000GT 8 1 3 2 1 1 4 5 5 G16C59-3010 2 10 7 1 3 2 3 10 8 5369SS/RIB 7 8 8 4 2 3 6 1 3 5516SS/RIB 2 7 5 1 9 6 2 7 5

5887VT3P/RIB 7 2 4 1 10 7 5 2 3 5975VT3P/RIB 5 7 6 4 9 7 7 7 7

6065SS/RIB 9 3 5 7 5 6 5 3 4 6110SS/RIB 5 4 4 10 4 6 3 8 6 6265SS/RIB 1 9 6 3 8 6 1 9 6 6594SS/RIB 5 3 4 10 5 7 4 2 3

6640VT3P/RIB 3 8 6 5 4 4 9 5 6 7087VT3/P 7 1 3 2 7 5 3 6 5

7927VT3P/RIB 9 10 10 1 10 7 8 8 8 8621VT2P/RIB 4 8 7 10 1 4 10 10 10 207-27STXRIB 8 2 4 7 7 7 6 2 3 214-45STXRIB 1 4 3 5 5 5 6 3 4 215-05STXRIB 10 3 5 4 10 8 6 5 5

5938RIB 1 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 6148RIB 8 9 9 7 8 8 9 3 5 6288RIB 3 4 4 9 1 4 3 8 6 6448RIB 8 5 6 3 8 6 10 4 6

DKC58-06RIB 5 2 3 8 6 7 4 1 2 DKC61-54RIB 10 6 7 9 7 8 9 2 4 DKC62-77RIB 6 1 3 6 5 5 7 4 5 DKC62-97RIB 6 7 7 7 6 6 5 2 3 DKC63-33RIB 3 9 7 6 9 8 8 8 8 DKC63-71RIB 1 7 5 8 8 8 2 9 7 DKC64-87RIB 9 10 10 9 7 8 8 6 7

P0419AMX 3 5 4 1 9 6 1 3 2 P0987AMX 6 1 3 2 3 3 1 4 3

P1221AMXT 3 3 3 5 4 4 1 10 7 P1339AM1 9 2 4 2 10 7 5 6 6

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Table 18. Intermediate response to population scores (IntRTP, yield response between 32,000 and 38,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), maximum response to plant population scores (MaxRTP, yield response between 38,000 and 44,000 plants acre-1 at 280 lb N acre-1), response to narrower row spacing (RTR, yield response between 30 and 20 inches row spacing at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 280 lb N acre-1), maximum yield response to N scores (RTN, yield response between 0 and 280 lb N acre-1 at 32,000 plants acre-1), and ‘Racehorse’ indices (RHI) at Champaign, DeKalb, and Harrisburg IL.

CMI DeKalb Harrisburg Int Max Int Max Int Max

Hybrids RTP RTP RTR RTN RHI RTP RTP RTR RTN RHI RTP RTP RTR RTN RHI G14H66-3010A 7 2 1 2 2 1 5 2 1 2 2 4 3 2 2

G14Y81-GT 8 3 4 6 5 1 10 6 2 4 7 9 1 6 4 G14R38-3000GT 9 8 2 9 6 6 4 3 2 3 8 3 7 5 6

G06N80-3111 2 3 1 1 1 4 5 3 1 2 3 6 1 1 1 G07B39-3111A 1 6 10 9 9 2 3 9 3 6 3 2 5 9 7 G07F23-3111 4 5 6 4 5 5 8 7 3 5 4 1 10 6 8

G09E98-3000GT 10 1 8 3 6 3 1 8 5 6 10 4 9 1 5 G10S30-3110 3 7 5 5 5 2 1 9 2 5 2 4 7 3 5

G10T63-3000GT 6 8 9 2 6 7 4 6 5 6 3 6 4 3 3 G11K47-3010 8 4 7 8 7 10 1 10 8 9 7 4 9 10 9 G12J11-3111A 8 4 7 10 8 8 9 7 3 5 10 2 10 4 7

G13G41-3000GT 2 6 9 1 5 7 8 9 1 5 2 2 8 2 5 G16C59-3010 10 1 3 9 6 1 10 2 9 5 10 7 5 10 8 5369SS/RIB 6 4 3 1 2 8 6 1 2 2 6 2 6 1 4 5516SS/RIB 9 6 3 4 4 9 9 5 4 5 4 8 3 3 3

5887VT3P/RIB 5 10 2 2 2 3 2 6 6 6 1 10 6 1 3 5975VT3P/RIB 4 7 1 3 2 8 10 1 6 4 2 10 1 4 3

6065SS/RIB 3 8 7 4 5 3 9 4 4 4 6 3 5 8 6 6110SS/RIB 9 3 6 5 6 2 2 8 6 7 10 5 2 7 5 6265SS/RIB 5 2 7 10 8 7 5 6 8 7 5 3 7 9 8 6594SS/RIB 3 8 4 5 4 5 7 8 5 6 8 5 4 2 3

6640VT3P/RIB 4 1 10 7 8 6 6 2 4 3 7 2 5 5 5 7087VT3/P 5 9 9 5 7 2 7 10 10 10 2 3 9 8 8

7927VT3P/RIB 5 3 9 9 9 1 8 3 10 6 1 1 9 9 9 8621VT2P/RIB 1 9 10 10 10 6 2 7 1 4 1 9 10 10 10 207-27STXRIB 8 10 1 1 1 10 3 1 8 5 3 5 3 2 3 214-45STXRIB 6 2 4 8 6 10 6 2 7 5 8 9 2 5 4 215-05STXRIB 9 1 5 2 4 6 3 10 9 9 7 7 3 8 6

5938RIB 2 9 2 3 3 9 1 4 2 3 4 5 1 2 2 6148RIB 3 3 8 66 7 4 3 5 10 7 5 1 10 4 7 6288RIB 1 2 6 7 6 4 2 5 1 3 3 8 6 6 6 6448RIB 7 10 4 7 6 9 3 3 10 7 9 6 4 7 6

DKC58-06RIB 7 7 3 3 3 3 6 1 7 4 9 3 1 1 1 DKC61-54RIB 10 2 8 1 5 10 4 1 8 5 6 9 6 3 5 DKC62-77RIB 2 6 5 8 6 5 9 4 4 4 5 1 8 4 6 DKC62-97RIB 2 5 5 6 5 9 1 7 3 5 4 7 7 3 5 DKC63-33RIB 3 5 2 10 6 5 5 4 9 6 9 1 2 7 5 DKC63-71RIB 7 4 10 7 8 3 8 10 5 7 6 10 4 9 6 DKC64-87RIB 10 1 8 3 6 8 7 2 7 5 8 6 2 6 4

P0419AMX 1 10 1 4 2 7 4 5 7 6 1 8 8 7 7 P0987AMX 4 5 3 2 3 1 10 9 3 6 1 10 8 5 6

P1221AMXT 6 9 2 6 4 2 7 3 6 4 5 8 3 10 6 P1339AM1 1 7 6 8 7 4 2 8 9 8 9 7 2 8 5

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Summary of Hybrids Agronomic Characteristics This section presents a brief summary for each hybrid sorted by seed brand. Scores for each hybrid

(bar-graph figures) were generated using the combined data from all locations, which allows us to understand the overall response for each hybrid across different environments.

CHANNEL 207-27STXRIB:

High yield potential at DeKalb. Good response to high plant population. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing in high input environments. High check plot yield.

214-45STXRIB:

High yield potential at DeKalb. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1. Low tolerance to high population, low check plot, and high response to N.

215-05STXRIB:

Stable hybrid performance across different environments. Versatile hybrid with high “Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing. High check plot yield.

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CROPLAN

5369SS/RIB:

Better yield performance at DeKalb, IL. Good check plot yield. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

5516SS/RIB:

Better yield performance at Dekalb, IL. Low tolerance to N loss and high initial N response. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

5887VT3P/RIB:

Good response to plant population. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

5975VT3P/RIB:

Good yield stability and performance under different environments. Excellent response to plant population, and unaffected by narrower row spacing. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

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6065SS/RIB:

High yield stability and performance under different environments. Excellent response to maximum plant population and check plot yield. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing under high yield environments.

6110SS/RIB:

High yield stability and performance under different environments. Good yield response to N and tolerance to N loss. Above average for ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

6265SS/RIB:

High yield under high N fertilizer conditions. High ‘Racehorse’ index, but tolerance to N loss. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing under intensive management.

6594SS/RIB:

High performance at DeKalb, IL. Good Check plot yield and response to population. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing under intensive management.

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6640VT3P/RIB:

Good yield stability and performance under different environments. Above average ‘Workhorse’ index. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing under intensive management.

7087VT3P:

High yield potential and stability under high plant population and narrower row spacing. High response to N fertilizer, but below average for Check plot and initial N response.

7927VT3P/RIB:

High yield potential and stability under different environments and agronomic conditions. Above average for ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing at high yield locations.

8621VT2P/RIB:

Highest yielding hybrid of the MYP trial. High ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. High response to N fertilizer and tolerance to N loss. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing under high yield environments.

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DEKALB DKC58-06RIB:

Better hybrid performance at DeKalb. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1. High response to plant population and high check plot yield.

DKC61-54RIB:

High yield potential across environments. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row spacing. High ‘Workhorse’ index with high tolerance to N loss and high check plot yield.

DKC62-77RIB:

Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row space. Stable performance across different environments with high check plot yield.

DKC62-97RIB:

Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row space. Stable performance across different environments. Above average for ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices.

DKC63-33RIB:

High yield potential across different environments. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1. Excellent response to N fertilizer with average Check Plot score. Above average for ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices.

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DKC63-71RIB:

High yield potential across different environments. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row spacing. High ‘Racehorse’ index with high response to N fertilizer, but low tolerance to N loss.

DKC64-87RIB:

High yield stability and performance across different environments. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row spacing at high yield environments. High ‘Workhorse’ index and tolerance to N loss.

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GOLDEN HARVEST

G06N80-3111:

Better yield performance at Champaign, IL. Average check plot yield. Optimum yield potential at 32,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

G07B39-3111A:

Excellent response to narrower row spacing and to N fertilizer. Above average for ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices, but low Check Plot score. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

G07F23-3111:

Hybrid with the highest tolerance to N loss of the MYP trial across environments. Above average score for narrower row spacing and below average for N fertilizer response. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

G09E98-3000GT:

Average yield performance across different environments. Good response to plant population and narrower row spacing. Below average response to N fertilizer. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

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G10S30-3110:

Better yield performance and high Check Plot yield at DeKalb, IL Good response to narrower row spacing in high yield environments.

G10T63-3000GT:

Good yield performance with high response to narrower row spacing at Champaign, IL. Best Syngenta hybrid at Champaign, IL. Excellent tolerance to N loss conditions. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

G11K47-3010:

High yield potential and stable performance at narrower row spacing across different environments. High response to N fertilizer, but low Check Plot yield. Optimum yield potential at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

G12J11-3111A:

High yield performance at narrower row spacing across different environments. High ‘Racehorse’ index, with good response to plant population and N fertilizer, but low Check Plot yield.

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G13G41-3000GT:

High response to narrower row spacing. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing.

G14H66-3010A:

Better yield performance at Champaign, IL. High tolerance to low N conditions at Champaign and Harrisburg, IL. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

G14R38-3000GT:

Better yield performance at Champaign, IL. High yield response to plant population. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

G14Y81-GT:

Excellent response to plant population and tolerance to low N conditions. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 30-inch row spacing.

G16C59-3010:

Excellent response to N fertilizer, but low tolerance to N loss conditions. Best Syngenta hybrid at Harrisburg, IL. Good response to plant population.

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PIONEER P0419AMX:

High response to maximum plant population and N fertilizer. Low tolerance to N loss.

P0987AMX:

Good response to high plant population and row space. Low tolerance to N loss conditions and low response to N fertilizer. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row spacing.

P1221AMXT:

High response to N fertilizer and maximum plant population, but low tolerance to N loss. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 at high yield environment.

P1339AM1:

Best yielding hybrid from Pioneer in the trial. Dual purpose hybrid with above average for ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ indices. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1and 20-inch row space.

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STONE 5938RIB:

Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1. Low response to high plant population and low tolerance to N loss.

6148RIB:

High yield performance and stability across different environments. Versatile hybrid with high response to N and high tolerance to N loss. High ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Workhorse’ indices. Maximum yield at 38,000 plants acre-1.

6288RIB:

Average yield performance across different environments. Average ‘Workhorse’ and ‘Racehorse’ indices. Good response to plant population. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing in high yielding environments.

6448RIB:

High yield performance and stability across different environments. Versatile hybrid with high response to N and high tolerance to N loss. Maximum yield at 44,000 plants acre-1 and 20-inch row spacing in high yielding environments.

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References Boomsma, C.R., J.B. Santini, M. Tollenaar, and T.J. Vyn. 2009. Maize morphophysiological responses to intense crowding and low nitrogen availability: An analysis and review. Agron. J. 101:1426–1452.

Hazel, L.N. 1943. The genetic basis for constructing selection indexes. Genetics 28:476-490.

Holland J.B. 2006. Estimating genotypic correlations and their standard errors using multivariate restricted maximum likelihood estimation with SAS Proc MIXED. Crop Sci. 46:642-645.

Ruffo, M.L., L.F. Gentry, A.S. Henninger, J.R. Seebauer, and F.E. Below. 2015. Evaluating management factor contributions to reduce corn yield gaps. Agron. J. 107:495-505.

Smith, H.F. 1936. A discriminant function for plant selection. Ann. Eugen. 7:240-250.

Tollenaar, M., and E.A. Lee. 2002. Yield potential, yield stability, and stress tolerance in maize. Field Crops Res. 75:161–169.

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