Evaluation of Late Corn Planting with Early Maturity Hybrids in the Texas High Plains.

Field experiments are being conducted in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research stations at Etter, TX. The treatments are consisted of 4 hybrids and 4 planting dates (May 15, June 1, June 15 and July 1). The hybrids used in 2013 were 4 Pioneer hybrids, 33D53AM-R, P1151AM, P0365YHR, and P9690AM. Their relative maturity days were 115, 111, 103 and 96, respectively. The actual planting dates were May 20, June 3, June 20, and July 2, 2013. The planting density was 30,000 seeds/ac for all hybrids. The results indicated that high yield (200 bu/ac) still can be achieved with long season hybrid (e.g., 115 d) when planted in late May and early June in the North Texas High Plains. When planting date was delayed to late June and early July, mid- and short- season hybrids showed the yield advantage over long season one. In general, delaying planting to late June or early July reduced yield potential. However, late planting reduced crop water use but did not affect WUE in short season hybrids. As such, late planting potentially can save some irrigation water while maintain the high WUE.