1. 8/8/2012
Open Pollinated Corn Trials in Goal
The goal of this project was to assess the performance of OP corn
Southern Maryland varieties under Southern Maryland growing conditions.
Reed, H. E.1*
1Agricultural If you want a
Extension Educator, University of Maryland
nice uniform
Extension, Box 486 Prince Frederick, MD 20678
stand of
corn you
won’t find it
here.
Abstract Methods
Before the adoption of hybrid corn only open pollinated (OP) corn was grown in
the United States. It is still grown in many developing countries. Given the • Randomized Complete Block Experiment
success of hybrid corn in modern agriculture why bother with OP corn? One • 6 OP Corn Varieties x 3 Replications
reason has to do with sustainability. A field of hybrid corn contains genetically
identical plants. If one plant is susceptible to a pest, all plants are equally at risk. • No-till seeding into soybean stubble
A field of OP corn will have more genetic diversity. This reduces risk from pests • 20,000 seeds/acre, 36 inch rows
and adverse growing conditions. OP corn is less dependent on costly inputs and
should have better yield stability than hybrid corn. OP varieties may be a better • 90 lbs N, 40 at planting , 50 lay-by
fit for local food, organic and home gardener production systems. Seed can be • 6 row plots, 4 inside rows hand harvested for yields
saved and replanted, significantly reducing production costs. There are
opportunities for farmers to do on farm selection and breeding for specific
Varieties – See handout for descriptions.
growing conditions or niche markets. Replicated trials with 6 OP varieties were Hickory King
conducted in 2010 and 2011. Yields in 2010 averaged 74 bu/A for all plots. Reid’s Yellow Dent
Yields in 2011 were unreliable as a result of severe damage from Hurricane Irene
Tennessee Red Cob
in early September. While 74 bushels does not seem very high by hybrid corn
standards one needs to consider lower production costs and that corn can Cherokee White Eagle
potentially be sold directly to consumers for approximately $1 a pound (56 Texas Gourdseed
lbs/bu) or more, a gross return of $4,138 per acre in a relatively dry year (2010) Virginia White Gourdseed
in Southern Maryland.
Need
Yield Data
Why bother? Hybrid corn is a very successful crop.
Variety 2010 bu/a 2011 bu/a 2 yr Mean
• Sustainability issues – OP varieties have greater genetic
diversity which may result in better yield stability. Hickory K 59 34 47
Reid’s YD 94 47 71
• OP varieties may be less dependent on costly inputs.
Tenn RC 85 47 64
• These varieties may fill specialized high value niches for Cherok WK 78 50 64
local food and organic food and feed production Texas GS 61 40 51
systems. VA GS 68 44 56
Overall Mean 74 44 59
• Seed can be saved and replanted, reducing production Planted: May 7, 2010; Harvest Oct 7 Planted: May 20, 2011; Harvest Oct 4
costs and allowing possibility for breeding and selection 50 lbs N at planting; 90 lbs N total; 20,000 seeds/acre each year. 3 rep means.
by growers.
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2. 8/8/2012
Discussion Hurricane Irene Damage 9/1/2011
Only clean mold free grain was included in yields. There were some
planting and emergence problems, particularly with Hickory King. This
could explain the low yields with that variety. The gourdseed varieties
tend to have upright ears when mature, which allows water to collect in
the husk, resulting in mold. This may partially explain the low yields of
the gourdseed varieties. More timely harvesting may be needed to
reduce mold losses. It should also be possible to manipulate this
character with a breeding /selection program. The severe damage
inflicted by Hurricane Irene in 2011 illustrates one of the problems with
these tall growing varieties. Breeding/selection of shorter varieties
would be desirable.
The overall mean of 74 bushels per acre does not seem high by hybrid
corn standards. However one needs to consider potentially lower
production costs and that corn could be sold to consumers for
approximately $1 a pound (56 lbs/bu) or more, a gross return of $4,138
per acre in a relatively dry year.
Some of the OP corn
varieties will get quite tall.
As corn breeders pay
more attention to OP
varieties this could
change. There is also the
possibility of growers
producing varieties
adapted to their own
growing environments
and markets through on
farm breeding and Virginia White Gourdseed July 11, 2012
selection. Planted May 18, 2012. These plots have not been irrigated.
Many hybrid corn fields in area showing drought stress.
Conclusions
OP corn varieties show some promise under
Southern Maryland growing conditions and may fill
an important agronomic niche.
Breeding/selection programs are recommended to
better match OP varieties with local environments.
The OP varieties appear to have good drought
tolerance under Southern MD growing conditions.
Future Research – Research with winter legume
cover crops with goal of reducing N rates.
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