Eastern Canada Corn Population Trial

Trial Background

• “Higher plant populations are one of the most important ways to achieve the highest possible corn yields.” – Dr. Fred Below, Plant Physiologist, University of Illinois
• Yield gains brought by plant density increases are mainly explained by the introductions of new traits and technologies and continual breeding improvement.
• Many studies have indicated that germplasm responds differently to various populations. Two characteristics that influence a response to population are consistency of kernel count per ear and stalk quality.
• It has also been demonstrated that favourable yield environments have a greater positive response to higher populations than moderate or low yield environments.

Trial Objective

• Evaluate DEKALB^® brand corn germplasm under six seeding rates ranging from 24,000 to 50,000 seeds/acre to develop custom seeding rate recommendations.
• Recommendations to be published after data is collected on a minimum of five sites over two years. Third year of data could be added if products are expected to have a longer life span.
• Data generated to be used for:
  • DEKALB^® Seed Guide.
  • Climate FieldView™ Platform advanced seed scripts.

Experiment/Trial Design

• Group block with corn product as the first group level and population as the second level.
  • Two to seven DEKALB^® brand corn products per set (Figure 1).
  • Seeding rates of 24,000, 31,000, 35,000, 39,000, 43,000, and 50,000 seeds/acre.
• Three replications.
• Plot size 10 ft x 23 ft.
• Climate FieldView^™ Platform mapping function to be used on research planters.
• Sites fertilized with at least 180 lb/acre nitrogen (preferably with most applied at V6 to V8 growth stage) and about 70 lb/acre each of phosphorus and potassium.
• Evaluations
  • R3 to R5 growth stage
    • Final Stand Count (FNSC)
  • Harvest
    • Root Lodging Count (RTLC)
    • Stalk Lodging Count (STLC)
    • Intactness Above the Ear (INT)
    • Shell Weight (SHW)
    • Percent Moisture Content (MST)
    • Test Weight (TWT)

Understanding the Results

• Population management for each DEKALB^® brand corn product is important for optimizing its yield potential.
• Potential yield varies by seasonal growing conditions, final population, soil fertility, pest infestations, rainfall, soil type, corn product, and other factors.
• In general, the largest increase in yield occurred when seeding rates increased to 31,000 from 24,000 seeds/acre.
• Average yields for 2021 were higher compared to the 2011 to 2020 average for Eastern Canada.
• Average yields for 2021 trended lower for Western Canada because of reduced rainfall.
• Average yield can vary depending on characteristic ear size of the different corn products (Figures 8, 9, and 10).