CORN
Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

Early March, 2001
C.O.R.N. 2001-4

In This Issue:

A) 2000 High Oil Corn Tc Blend Performance Test Results
B) Soybean Seed Quality And Seed Treatment

A) 2000 High Oil Corn Tc Blend Performance Test Results - Thomison and Geyer CORN Questions

High oil corn contains 1 1/2 to 2 times more oil as well as higher quality proteins than normal yellow dent corn. It is attractive as a livestock feed because it has greater energy value than normal yellow dent corn and can replace dietary supplements of fats and proteins. The TopCross grain production system licensed by DuPont Specialty Grains has become the most popular preferred method of producing high oil corn. The TopCross high oil grain production system involves planting a blend (TC Blend seed corn) of two types of corn. One type, representing 90 to 92 percent of the seed in the blend, is a hybrid that is designated as the "grain parent." The second type, representing 8 to 10% of the seed, is a special "pollinator." The grain parent is a male sterile (produces no pollen) version of an elite hybrid that may be in commercial production. The pollinator is a special line, available from DuPont and licensed to seed companies, that sheds pollen within a TopCross grain production field. The pollen shed from these pollinator plants contain special genes that cause a kernel to produce a much larger than average embryo. Since most of the oil and essential amino acids are in the embryo, the oil, and thus the energy level, and protein quality of the grain produced by fertilization with these pollinators is enhanced. Pollinator plants contribute little to overall grain yield. Their function is to provide pollen to the male sterile grain parent.

In 2000, we conducted performance tests at two Ohio locations comparing TC Blend seed products used in TopCross high oil grain production. The major objective of these tests was to evaluate the agronomic performance and grain quality characteristics (i.e. oil content) of TC Blends that are adapted to Ohio growing conditions and commercially available to corn growers. The high oil corn tests were established at the Ohio State University (OSU) - Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Research (OARDC) Western Branch Research Farm near South Charleston (S.Charleston) in southwest Ohio and the OSU-OARDC Northwest Branch Research Farm near Hoytville in northwest Ohio. Six high oil TC Blends representing four seed companies were planted at each site. The male fertile grain parents (Pfister 2652 and Pioneer Brand 34B23) of two of the TC Blend entries were included in the trials as checks.

Grain yields of TC Blends ranged from 115 to 136 Bu/A at Hoytville and 147 to 156 Bu/A at S. Charleston. Yields of TC Blends averaged about 9% (13 Bu/A) less and about equal to yields of the check hybrids at Hoytville and S. Charleston, respectively. At Hoytville, the TC Blends produced yields that were significantly less than the top yielding check hybrid. At S. Charleston, most of the TC Blends produced yields that were equal to or not significantly different from the highest yielding check hybrid. Grain drydown at both test locations was rapid and the grain moisture levels of most TC Blends and checks were below 20% at harvest. Differences in harvest population between TC Blends and check hybrids were not significant. Stalk lodging averaged 13% at Hoytville and 17% at S. Charleston. Lodging was similar for TC Blends and normal corn checks.

TopCross grain produced by the TC Blends was characterized by higher oil content than grain of normal corn hybrids (7.0% vs. 3.8% at Hoytville; 7.2% vs. 4.3% at S. Charleston). There were significant differences in grain oil content among the six TC Blends at each location with oil levels ranging from 6.4% to 7.5% at Hoytville and 6.4% to 8.1% at S. Charleston. Estimates of metabolizable energy for non-ruminants were consistently greater in TopCross high oil grain than in grain of check hybrids. Grain protein levels of TopCross grain were higher than normal grain. At Hoytville, the highest TopCross protein level was 9.5% and the highest normal was 8.5%; at S. Charleston the highest TopCross protein level was 9.1% and the highest normal was 8.4%. Estimates of lysine content were higher in TopCross grain than in grain of check hybrids at both locations, whereas starch levels were lower in TopCross grain compared to grain of normal corn.

Since premiums and relative feed value are based on the oil content of TopCross grain, growers need to plant TC Blends with high yield potential and grain oil content to maximize their profits. Results of the 2000 tests indicate that TC Blends with high levels of kernel oil and grain yield potential similar to normal corn hybrids are available. High grain oil content and grain yield were not mutually exclusive in the TC Blends evaluated. The oil content of TopCross grain from TC Blends averaged 3.1 percentage points higher than the checks. Stalk quality (as measured by stalk lodging) and grain moisture levels of TC Blends were comparable to normal corn hybrids.

For more information on the 2000 TC Blend HO Corn Test as well as other information on specialty corns used in value added grain production consult the following web site: http://www.ag.ohiostate.edu/~hocorn/

B) Soybean Seed Quality And Seed Treatment - Lipps, Dorrance and Mills CORN Questions

Fungicide seed treatments on soybeans are encouraged for 2001 for the three following reasons:

-Poor quality soybean seed, as a result of poor growing conditions, are very fragile with cracked seed coats. Germination in these cases is reduced due to the physical damage. Fungicide seed treatments will help protect this seed from soil pathogens if the seed is exposed to excessively wet soil or other stresses following planting.

-Phomopsis seed rot is a seed-borne disease that affects the germination of seed. Most seed treatment fungicides (Agrosol T, Rival, Maxim and others) are effective in increasing the germination of seed affected by Phomopsis 15 to 20%. Seed lots with germination below 70% should not be used for seed.

-There are now races of Phytophthora present in many Ohio fields that are able to cause disease on varieties with many of the Rps genes (Rps 1a, 1b, 1c, 1k, 3a and 6). Choosing varieties with high levels of partial resistance is more important than ever before. Since partial resistance becomes effective after plants begin to develop their true leaves, seed treatment is needed to protect these plants during germination and emergence growth stages. For these fields with a history of Phytophthora, wet fields, no-till or continuous beans, the higher rates of Allegiance and Apron XL are needed to achieve effective control of Phytophthora (Allegiance @ 1.5 fl. oz./cwt and Apron XL @ 0.64 fl. oz./cwt). These rates will also control Pythium seed rot and damping off. Allegiance and Apron XL can be combined with any of the other seed treatment fungicides labeled on soybeans to achieve broader spectrum of control.

A variety of on-farm and commercial treatments are available to treat soybean seed.

Several on-farm products and systems are available, by either hopper-box treatment or auger systems. The on-farm treatments include Allegiance FL, Allegiance LS, Apron XL LS, Apron Max RTA, Prevail, Protector L/Allegiance, Stiletto and System. Growers should read and follow label directions for both the applicator system and seed treatment material selected.

All on-farm treatments listed provide excellent control of Pythium.

Excellent efficacy on Phytophthora can be seen with Allegiance FL & LS as well as ApronXL LS & Apron Maxx RTA at the higher labeled rates. Fair control can be seen with the other products.

Excellent efficacy on Phomopsis can be seen with Prevail, Stiletto and System. Protector L/Allegiance is rated good.

Commercial treatments include Agrosol FL, Agrosol T, Allegiance, Apron XL, Captan, Captan T, Maxim, Rival and Thiram.

Complete efficacy tables for both commercial and on-farm seed treatments can be found at:
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/library/articles/soyseedtrt.html

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Past versions of C.O.R.N. can be found on the World Wide Web at: http:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/archive/

C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.

Editor: Greg LaBarge        Web Editor: Tom Rosati

Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

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