Yield Response to Relative Maturity Rating in Corn (Zea mays L.).

Corn (Zea mays L.) row cropping is common throughout the U.S. Midwestern states and 615,000 acres were dedicated to corn in Mississippi on average over the last two years. New hybrids and seed treatments are released into the market each year in hopes of increasing yields and decreasing sensitivity to early season weather cold temperatures. This experiment compares commercial hybrids with varying relative maturity ratings. The objective of this experiment is to determine effect of relative maturity rating on yield. Experiments were implemented over the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons in eastern Mississippi. These experiments included hybrids from varying maturity groups starting with a 92 day relative maturity rating and ranging up to a 120 day relative maturity rated hybrid, with 120 day being standard to the region. Overall data suggests most hybrids from 108-120 day yield statistically the same. Relative maturity ratings below 108 days resulted in significantly reduced yield. Reducing the relative maturity of corn hybrids can shorten the growing season improving crop efficiency producing the same levels of yield.