Getting the right hybrid...and getting it in the right spot
Feb. 1, 2022
Selecting the right hybrids for your farm is one of the most important decisions you can make for maximizing yields.
Dave Nanda, SGD director of genetics, suggests selecting hybrids on a field-by-field basis and considering how hybrids would stack up for the field where you would plant them. The below list of important factors may be helpful to consider:
Soil. Is the soil sandy, loam, clay or a combination? What’s the organic matter content and pH? Does the soil crust easily? Which tillage system will you use?
Soil drainage. Is there surface or tile drainage? Is it variable or uniform? Is the field flat, rolling or in river bottoms?
Dryer availability. Do you have a grain dryer? Do you need hybrids that can stand and dry in the field?
Previous crop. Some hybrids aren’t recommended for corn-after-corn.
Previous herbicide. Could there be any carryover from soybean herbicides applied in the previous year? Some hybrids are more sensitive to certain chemicals.
Current herbicides. Does the hybrid work with conventional, glyphosate or LibertyLink systems?
Insects and diseases. Is your area prone to corn rootworm in first-year corn? Is your area typically humid, favoring leaf diseases? Is tar spot an issue?
Intended use. Will corn be used for silage, grain, ethanol, waxy, white or non-GMO markets? Pick hybrids tailored to these uses.
Foliar fungicides. Are disease-resistant hybrids available for the most prevalent diseases in your area? Are you planning on using foliar fungicides? Consider late-season health and stay-green power.
Drought, heat and stress tolerance. Are drought-tolerant hybrids needed and available for your area?
Emergence and early-seedling vigor. Consider cold test germination scores.
Root systems. Ask about brace roots and root strength. Check the root system above ground. How big are roots below ground?
Stalk strength and standability. Many hybrids failed push or pinch tests early last fall. See how seed dealers rate your hybrid vs. other hybrids.
Plant and ear height. Some hybrids grew taller than normal last season. What is normal height and ear placement? You’re looking for uniform ear placement.
Hybrid maturity. Is the hybrid suitable for your area? Compare days to pollen shed and silk emergence between hybrids.
Ear attachment and retention. Do hybrids you’re considering have good attachment to stalks?
Test weight and harvestability. What is the expected test weight at physiological maturity? How well do kernels shell off cobs?
Call Seed Genetics Direct if you need help answering these questions. A Seed Genetics Direct seedsman is also seed reps walk fields and know the strong and weak points of hybrids.