Droughtgard® Hybrids Corn Products Response to Overwatering.

Irrigation water supply is decreasing in many areas of the Great Plains and farmers are looking for ways to manage irrigation water they have available while still maintaining high yields. Many farmers are using DroughtGard® Hybrids corn products on fields with limited irrigation water to manage risk if the environment is abnormally adverse due to limited rainfall. However, what happens when rainfall is abundant? Do DroughtGard Hybrids corn products yield similarly to corn products that do not have the DroughtGard Hybrids technology in this environment? A two-year study was initiated in 2015 evaluating over applying irrigation water to two DroughtGard Hybrids corn products and two corn products that do not have the DroughtGard Hybrids technology. The water treatments in 2015 were 100% full irrigation (FI) which replaces the evapotranspiration needs of the corn crop, 120% FI, and 160% FI. In 2016, the irrigation treatments were 100% FI, 160% FI, 220% FI, and 280% FI. There was no significant corn product by irrigation treatment interaction with or without DroughtGard® Hybrids Technology in either year.