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
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
Excess Precipitation Delayed Planting in 2013
Exceptional Drought in 2012
70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
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
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
How have corn yields increased?
Year1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Gra
in y
ield
(bu
acre
-1)
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Plan
t den
sity
(acr
e-1)
16000
18000
20000
22000
24000
26000
28000
30000
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
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
10 Growth Regulators 15 Tillage 20 Plant Population 25 Previous Crop 50 Hybrid 70 Nitrogen 70+ Weather
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
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
bu/acre Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
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
Nitro
gen
Upta
ke (l
b N
ac-1
)
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
GDDF0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Perc
ent (
%) o
f Tot
al N
itrog
en
0
25
50
75
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
Phos
phor
us U
ptak
e (lb
P2O
5 ac-1
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
GDDF
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Perc
ent (
%) o
f Tot
al P
hosp
horu
s
0
25
50
75
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
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
FACTORS TREATMENT Fertility Nitrogen Genetics Population Fungicide
HIGH TECH MESZ Base + sidedress
Triple stack/ Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin
Rem
ove
Tech
nolo
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
Add
Tech
nolo
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
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)
Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac
Fungicide No Fungicide Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
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
