Planting Date, Hybrid Selection, and Irrigation Frequency to Optimize Yield and Profitability in a Mid-South Corn Production System.

 

Planting Date, Hybrid Selection, and Irrigation Frequency to Optimize Yield and Profitability in a

Mid-South Corn Production System

John J. Williams, W. Brien Henry, Normie Buehring, L. Jason Krutz, J. Bryan Whittenton, and Omar Ali

Mid-South corn producers are often faced with sub-optimal climate conditions throughout the growing season. Drought and water-stress are often the most limiting factor in a production system. Previous research suggests that by shifting the planting date forward in the calendar year from April into early March, tasseling occurs in late May or early June which positively affects grain yield. By planting earlier and using short season hybrids as well as drought-tolerant hybrids, producers may reduce risk because critical reproductive phases occur during wetter conditions reducing the amount of irrigation water needed while increasing yields. Two planting dates, eight hybrids, and two soil moisture regimes 1) 50kPa and 2) 125kPa were evaluated as agronomic methods of conserving water. Hybrids were classified as early season, drought-tolerant, whether transgenic or breeding-derived, and full season hybrids. First year data suggests that planting in March vs. April resulted in a 25 bu/ac increase and saved one irrigation. In the April planting, drought-tolerant hybrids resulted in a water savings of one irrigation event. Finally, by planting earlier with high-yielding full season hybrids and using soil moisture sensors to measure soil moisture drying down to 125kPa, we were able to harvest statistically equivalent yields while saving four to five irrigation events. Irrigating less protects our aquifer resources as well as improving our producers corn production system’s profitability.