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The Seven Wonders of High Corn Yield

Fred Below Crop Physiology Laboratory

Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

FarmSmart Ag Conference, University of Guelph, January 18, 2014

Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World

•Ranks those factors that each year can have a positive (and sometimes negative) impact on corn yield

•Gives each factor an average bushel per acre value

Crucial Prerequisites, but not Yield Wonders

•Drainage

•Pest/Weed Control

•Proper soil pH & adequate levels of P and K based on soil tests

70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

bu/acre Value Factor Rank

Given key prerequisites

Excess Precipitation Delayed Planting in 2013

Exceptional Drought in 2012

70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield

bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1

1 216.3 17 193.3 33 180.8 49 163.9 2 211.1 18 193.0 34 179.3 50 163.7 3 210.6 19 192.4 35 179.0 51 163.5 4 210.4 20 192.3 36 178.0 52 163.0 5 208.1 21 192.1 37 176.0 53 162.3 6 206.6 22 191.5 38 174.2 54 162.3 7 203.1 23 190.3 39 174.1 55 160.3 8 202.5 24 188.4 40 173.4 56 156.6 9 202.0 25 188.1 41 175.8 57 153.8 10 201.2 26 187.1 42 172.5 58 153.4 11 200.5 27 186.5 43 172.1 59 153.2 12 199.3 28 186.5 44 169.2 60 153.0 13 194.5 29 185.1 45 167.9 61 151.1 14 194.2 30 184.9 46 167.6 62 135.6 15 194.2 31 184.3 47 165.8 63 132.6 16 194.1 32 181.6 48 165.2 64 129.1

All Hybrids are Not Created Equal -2012

32,000 plants/acre with 240 lbs N at Champaign, IL in 2012 LSD (0.10) = 32.5

25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

How have corn yields increased?

Year1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

32000U.S. plant densityU.S. average grain yield

Source USDA

Grain Yield is a Product Function of Yield Components

Yield = (plants/acre) x (kernels/plant) x (weight/kernel)

Some Examples of Yield Component Combinations for Different Yields

200 bushels = 32,000 plants/ac x 550 kernels/plant x 250 mg/kernel

250 bushels =

36,000 plants/ac x 600 kernels/plant x 255 mg/kernel

300 bushels? = 45,000 plants/ac x 565 kernels/plant x 260 mg/kernel

Kernel weight expressed at 0% and yield at 15% moisture

Are Twin Rows a way to increase Plant Population?

Champaign, 2009

Twin Rows are Warmer

30” Rows Twin Rows

Champaign, IL August 20, 2011, 45,000 plants/acre

Lower canopy thermal images

15 Tillage 20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

10 Growth Regulators 15 Tillage 20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Leaf Greening from Strobilurin Fungicides

Leaves greener 50 days after VT application

10 Growth Regulators 15 Tillage 20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

260 bu TOTAL Given key prerequisites

How to Get High Corn Yields?

• Optimize each of the seven wonders and their positive interactions

• Provide better prerequisites, season long weed control & balanced fertility/nutrition

Prerequisites for High Yields?

• Proper soil pH & adequate levels of P and K based on soil tests

• Fertility- Use application and fertilizer technologies to supply required crop nutrition

Nutrition Needed for 230 Bushel Corn

Nutrient Required to Produce

Removed with Grain

Harvest Index

lbs/acre % N 256 148 58 P2O5 101 80 79 K2O 180 58 32 S 23 13 57 Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62 B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23

Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)

N Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn

Growth Stage

GDDF0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

100Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk LeavesStalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades

E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6

Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010

Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)

P Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn

Growth Stage

5 ac-1

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Perc

100Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk LeavesStalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades

E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6

Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010

Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)

Feed the Plant Not the Soil Better Fertilizer • 250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials-SZ 35 lbs N, 100 lbs P2O5, 25 lbs S, 2.5 lbs Zn Better Application • Banded 4 to 6 inches deep

directly under the crop row

Improved Growth with Spring-Banding

250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials = 35 N, 100 P2O5, 25 S, and 2.5 Zn

Champaign, IL 2011

No Corn Plant Left Behind

Champaign, IL 2011

Standard Technology Fall broadcast, 32K plants

High Technology Banded fertility, 45K plants

Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11 Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with

premium fertilizer (MESZ) and/or banding

Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea Extra N (60+ lbs) as sidedress and weather

protection (urease and/or nitrification)

Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid

Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac

Fungicide No Fungicide Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1

High Tech Package vs Traditional 2009-11

High Technology Package Standard Practice

Ears from 1/1000 of an acre

Year Standard High Tech '�

bu acre-1

2009 198 260 +62* 2010 188 230 +42* 2011 169 195 +26*

Average 185 228 +43*

Corn Yield Response to Management

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05.

Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011

Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11 Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with

Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea Extra N (60 lbs) as sidedress and weather

Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid

FACTORS TREATMENT Fertility Nitrogen Genetics Population Fungicide

HIGH TECH MESZ Base + sidedress

Triple stack/ Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin

gy Fertility Soil test Base +

sidedress Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin

Nitrogen MESZ Base Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin

Genetics MESZ Base + sidedress Refuge/workhorse 45,000 Strobilurin

Population MESZ Base + sidedress Triple/Racehorse 32,000 Strobilurin

Fungicide MESZ Base + sidedress Triple/Racehorse 45,000 none

STANDARD Soil test Base Refuge/ Workhorse 32,000 none

gy Fertility MESZ Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none

Nitrogen Soil test Base + Sidedress Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none

Genetics Soil test Base Triple/Racehorse 32,000 none

Population Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 45,000 none

Fungicide Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 Strobilurin

Omission Plot Experimental Design

Standard System

Add One Enhanced Factor Yield '�bu acre-1

Standard Management 185 +Fertility (extra N, P, S, Zn and/or banding) 192 + 7* +Nitrogen (plus sidedress/ loss protected) 194 + 9* +Genetics (triple stack/racehorse hybrid) 192 + 7* +Population (45,000 plants/acre) 178 - 7* +Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 190 + 5

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011

High Tech System Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield '�

bu acre-1

High Tech all Five Factors 228 -Fertility (fertility from soil test) 217 -11* -Nitrogen (unprotected from loss) 216 -12* -Genetics (-biotech insect protection) 212 -16* -Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 221 - 7* -Fungicide (no fungicide) 207 -21*

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011

Traditional High Tech Factor Yield '� Yield '�

bu acre-1

None or All 185 228 Fertility 192 + 7 217 -11 Nitrogen 194 + 9 216 -12 Genetics 192 + 7 212 -16 Population 178 - 7 221 - 7 Fungicide 190 + 5 207 -21

Standard vs High-Tech Management

Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011

Year Factor Standard High Tech

'�bushels acre-1

2009 Genetics (rootworm trait)

+9 -25

2010 Fungicide +11 -35

2011 Fertility +14 -17

Management Factor with Greatest Response

Extreme Drought in Illinois in 2012

Year Factor Standard High Tech

'�bushels acre-1

2009 Genetics (rootworm trait)

+9 -25

2010 Fungicide +11 -35 2011 Fertility +14 -17 2012 Irrigation +55 -93

Management Factor with Greatest Response

Standard vs High Tech Package 2013 Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with

Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea Extra N (60+ lbs) as sidedress and weather

Row Space 30 inch row spacing 20 inch row spacing

Standard System

Add One Enhanced Factor Yield '�bu acre-1

Standard Management 196 +Fertility (extra N, P, S, Zn and/or banding) 204 + 8* +Nitrogen (plus sidedress/ loss protected) 201 + 5 +Population (45,000 plants/acre) 197 + 1 +Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 196 0 +Row Spacing (20 inch rows ) 200 + 4

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management

*Significantly different from standard P ≤ 0.05, Average of 3 trials in 2013

High Tech System Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield '�

bu acre-1

High Tech all Five Factors 231 -Fertility (fertility from soil test) 223 - 8* -Nitrogen (unprotected from loss) 227 - 4 -Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 218 -13* -Fungicide (no fungicide) 227 - 4 -Row Spacing (30 inch rows) 217 -14*

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System

*Significantly different from high tech P ≤ 0.05, Average of 3 trials in 2013

Standard High Tech Factor Yield '� Yield '�

bu acre-1

None or All 196 231 Fertility 204 +8* 223 - 8* Nitrogen 201 +5 227 - 4 Population 197 +1 218 -13* Fungicide 196 0 227 - 4 Row Space 200 +4 217 -14*

Standard vs High-Tech Management

*Significantly different from standard or high tech P ≤ 0.05 Average of 3 trials in 2013

Conclusions • For maximum yield a systems

approach is needed that combines individual practices known to impact productivity

• High yield must be planned for from the beginning because the factor or factors which drive increased yield depends on that season’s weather

Conclusions

• Increasing plant population may be the foundation for pushing higher corn yields, but higher populations must be managed with narrower row spacing, the proper hybrid, fed with the right balance of nutrients and protected from biotic and abiotic stresses

Acknowledgements

•Brad Bandy •Tryston Beyrer •Tom Boas •Ryan Becker •Ross Bender •Fernando Cantao •Paula Cler •Keila Cunha •Paulo Galvao •Laura Gentry •Claire Geiger •Jason Haegele •Mark Harrison •Cole Hendrix •Adam Henninger

•Jim Kleiss •Brandon Litherland •Jack Marshall •Bianca Moura •Ellie Raup •Matías Ruffo •Juliann Seebauer •Marjorie Souza •Logan Smith •Martín Uribelarrea •Mike Vincent •Alison Vogel •Kyle Vogelzang •Wendy White

Personnel

Champaign

Harrisburg

Crop Physiology Lab Sites & Farm Cooperators

DeKalb - Eric Lawler H.B. Babson Farms

Rushville - Mike Dyche Jr.

Dyche Farms Inc

Champaign – UI Research Farm

Harrisburg - Scott Berry Berry Farms

Rushville

DeKalb

Acknowledgements

•AGCO •Agricen •Agrium •AgroFresh •BASF •Calmer Corn Heads •Crop Production Services •Dawn Equipment •Dow AgroSciences •DuPont/Pioneer •Fluid Fertilizer Foundation •GrowMark •Honeywell •Helena Chemical Company •Illinois Corn Marketing Board •Illinois Soybean Association

•IPNI •John Deere •Koch Agronomic Service •Monsanto •Mosaic •Nachurs •Netafilm •Orthman •Rosen’s Inc. •Syngenta •Stoller Enterprises •Valent BioSciences •WinField Solutions •Wolf Trax •Wyffels Hybrids

Financial Support

Very Special Thanks • Peter Johnson • FarmSmart Conference • University of Guelph

For more information:

Crop Physiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois

http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu

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