Improving Productivity Under Water Limited Conditions by Exploiting Genotype by Management Interactions.

Improving Productivity under Water-limited Conditions by Exploiting Genotype x Management Interactions.
Jeremy Groeteke, Dan Poston, John Shanahan. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Because inadequate water supply is such a major constraint to maximizing corn yields in North America and many regions of the world, Pioneer Hi-Bred has devoted considerable crop improvement efforts towards enhancing hybrid performance under water-limited environments.  New products developed from these efforts were introduced in the 2011 growing season as Optimum® AQUAmax™ hybrids. To determine if additional value could be captured for growers by exploiting genotype x management (G X E) interactions   Pioneer conducted numerous on-farm evaluations of Optimum AQUAmax hybrids across Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado in 2010 and 2011. At each test location, growers were asked to plant their best current “check hybrid” and Optimum AQUAmax hybrids in a side-by-side comparison using a split-planter  design in field-length strips. The growers were also asked to increase the seeding rates by 5,000 seeds per acre. The comparative hybrids were similar in relative maturity and could be Pioneer brand or competitive brand hybrids. Pioneer representatives assisted growers in all phases of these trials and acquired important field notes throughout the season. Each hybrid strip was harvested with the grower combine and yields recorded with either a weigh wagon or yield monitor properly calibrated prior to harvest. Results from these trials not only confirmed the previously-observed yield advantage of Optimum AQUAmax products over  grower-selected checks, but more importantly  demonstrated that  the  greatest benefit of Optimum AQUAmax products was attained with increased plant population, These result illustrate how growers can derive the greatest value from use of these products by exploiting the G X E interaction.