The Quest for 300 Bushel Corn Fred Below Crop Physiology Laboratory Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Wolf Trax Nutrient Master Class, Davenport, IA November 21, 2013
Quest for 300 Bushel Corn 9 billion people by 2050 requires a doubling of grain production including corn 300 bu corn produced each year in the U.S. National Corn Growers Contest
Quest for 300 Bushel Corn Intelligent Intensification with the Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World What are the factors that have the biggest impact on corn yield each year?
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Ranks those factors that each year can have a positive (and sometimes negative) impact on corn yield Gives each factor an average bushel per acre value
Crucial Prerequisites, but not Yield Wonders Drainage Pest/Weed Control Proper soil ph & adequate levels of P and K based on soil tests
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Value bu/acre 70+ Given key prerequisites
Excess Precipitation Delayed Planting in 2013
Extreme Drought in Illinois in 2012
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Nitrogen Value bu/acre 70+ 70 Given key prerequisites
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Nitrogen Hybrid Value bu/acre 70+ 70 50 Given key prerequisites
All Hybrids are Not Created Equal -2012 Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield bu acre -1 bu acre -1 bu acre -1 bu acre -1 1 216.3 17 193.3 33 180.8 49 163.9 2 211.1 18 193.0 34 179.3 50 163.7 3 210.6 19 192.4 35 179.0 51 163.5 4 210.4 20 192.3 36 178.0 52 163.0 5 208.1 21 192.1 37 176.0 53 162.3 6 206.6 22 191.5 38 174.2 54 162.3 7 203.1 23 190.3 39 174.1 55 160.3 8 202.5 24 188.4 40 173.4 56 156.6 9 202.0 25 188.1 41 175.8 57 153.8 10 201.2 26 187.1 42 172.5 58 153.4 11 200.5 27 186.5 43 172.1 59 153.2 12 199.3 28 186.5 44 169.2 60 153.0 13 194.5 29 185.1 45 167.9 61 151.1 14 194.2 30 184.9 46 167.6 62 135.6 15 194.2 31 184.3 47 165.8 63 132.6 16 194.1 32 181.6 48 165.2 64 129.1 LSD (0.10) = 32.5 32,000 plants/acre with 240 lbs N at Champaign, IL in 2012
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Nitrogen Hybrid Previous Crop Value bu/acre 70+ 70 50 25 Given key prerequisites
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Nitrogen Hybrid Previous Crop Plant Population Value bu/acre 70+ 70 50 25 20 Given key prerequisites
How have corn yields increased? Grain yield (bu acre -1 ) 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 U.S. plant density U.S. average grain yield 32000 30000 28000 26000 24000 22000 20000 18000 Plant density (acre -1 ) 40 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Source USDA Year 16000
Grain Yield is a Product Function of Yield Components Yield = (plants/acre) x (kernels/plant) x (weight/kernel)
Some Examples of Yield Component Combinations for Different Yields 200 bushels = 32,000 plants/ac x 550 kernels/plant x 250 mg/kernel 250 bushels = 36,000 plants/ac x 600 kernels/plant x 255 mg/kernel 300 bushels? = 45,000 plants/ac x 565 kernels/plant x 260 mg/kernel Kernel weight expressed at 0% and yield at 15% moisture
Are Twin Rows a way to increase Plant Population? Champaign, 2009
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Weather Nitrogen Hybrid Previous Crop Plant Population Tillage Value bu/acre 70+ 70 50 25 20 15 Given key prerequisites
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Value bu/acre Weather 70+ Nitrogen 70 Hybrid 50 Previous Crop 25 Plant Population 20 Tillage 15 Growth Regulators 10 Given key prerequisites
Leaf Greening from Strobilurin Fungicides Leaves greener 50 days after VT application
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Factor Given key prerequisites Weather Nitrogen Hybrid Previous Crop Plant Population Tillage Growth Regulators TOTAL Value bu/acre 70+ 70 50 25 20 15 10 260 bu
How to Get High Corn Yields? Optimize each of the seven wonders and their positive interactions Provide better prerequisites, season long weed control & balanced fertility/nutrition
Prerequisites for High Yields? Proper soil ph & adequate levels of P and K based on soil tests Fertility- Use application and fertilizer technologies to supply required crop nutrition
Nutrition Needed for 230 Bushel Corn Nutrient Required to Produce Removed with Grain Harvest Index lbs/acre % N 256 148 58 P 2 O 5 101 80 79 K 2 O 180 58 32 S 23 13 57 Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62 B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23 Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
N Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn Nitrogen Uptake (lb N ac -1 ) 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves Stalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 GDD F 100 75 50 25 0 Percent (%) of Total Nitrogen E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6 Growth Stage Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
P Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn Phosphorus Uptake (lb P 2 O 5 ac -1 ) 100 80 60 40 20 0 Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves Stalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 GDD F 100 75 50 25 0 Percent (%) of Total Phosphorus E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6 Growth Stage Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013) Zn Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn Zinc Uptake (oz Zn ac -1 ) 7.2 6.4 5.6 4.8 4.0 3.2 2.4 1.6 0.8 Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves Stalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades 100 75 50 25 Percent (%) of Total Zinc 0.0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 GDD F E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6 Growth Stage 0
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013) Bo Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn B Uptake (oz B ac -1 ) 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 Grain Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves Stalk and Leaf Sheaths Leaf Blades 100 75 50 25 Percent of Total (%) 0.0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 GDD F 0 VE V2 V4 V6 V10 V14 VT/R1 R2 R4 R5 R6 Growth Stage
Improved Growth with Spring-Banding Champaign, IL 2011 250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials = 35 N, 100 P2O5, 25 S, and 2.5 Zn
No Corn Plant Left Behind Standard Technology Fall broadcast, 32K plants High Technology Banded fertility, 45K plants Champaign, IL 2011
Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11 Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with premium fertilizer (MESZ) and/or banding Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea Extra N (60+ lbs) as sidedress and weather protection (urease and/or nitrification) Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac Fungicide No Fungicide Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
High Tech Package vs Traditional 2009-11 Ears from 1/1000 of an acre High Technology Package Standard Practice
Corn Yield Response to Management Year Standard High Tech Δ bu acre -1 2009 198 260 +62* 2010 188 230 +42* 2011 169 195 +26* Average 185 228 +43* Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011 *Significantly different at P 0.05.
Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11 Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with premium fertilizer (MESZ) and/or banding Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea Extra N (60 lbs) as sidedress and weather protection (urease and/or nitrification) Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac Fungicide No Fungicide Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
Omission Plot Experimental Design FACTORS TREATMENT Fertility Nitrogen Genetics Population Fungicide HIGH TECH MESZ Base + sidedress Triple stack/ Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin Remove Technology Add Technology Fertility Soil test Base + sidedress Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin Nitrogen MESZ Base Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin Genetics Population Fungicide MESZ MESZ MESZ Base + sidedress Base + sidedress Base + sidedress STANDARD Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 45,000 Strobilurin Triple/Racehorse 32,000 Strobilurin Triple/Racehorse 45,000 none Refuge/ Workhorse 32,000 none Fertility MESZ Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none Nitrogen Soil test Base + Sidedress Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none Genetics Soil test Base Triple/Racehorse 32,000 none Population Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 45,000 none Fungicide Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 Strobilurin
Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management Standard System Add One Enhanced Factor Yield Δ Standard Management 185 bu acre -1 +Fertility (extra N, P, S, Zn and/or banding) 192 + 7* +Nitrogen (plus sidedress/ loss protected) 194 + 9* +Genetics (triple stack/racehorse hybrid) 192 + 7* +Population (45,000 plants/acre) 178-7* +Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 190 + 5 *Significantly different at P 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System High Tech System Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield Δ High Tech all Five Factors 228 bu acre -1 -Fertility (fertility from soil test) 217-11* -Nitrogen (unprotected from loss) 216-12* -Genetics (-biotech insect protection) 212-16* -Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 221-7* -Fungicide (no fungicide) 207-21* *Significantly different at P 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Standard vs High-Tech Management Traditional High Tech Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ bu acre -1 None or All 185 228 Fertility 192 + 7 217-11 Nitrogen 194 + 9 216-12 Genetics 192 + 7 212-16 Population 178-7 221-7 Fungicide 190 + 5 207-21 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Extreme Drought in Illinois in 2012
Drip Irrigation for Added Water Seven inches supplemental water during July and August Champaign, 2012
Standard vs High-Tech 2012 Standard High Tech Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ bu acre -1 None or All 135 210 Irrigation 190 +55* 117-93* Fertility 138 + 3 197-13* Nitrogen 132-3 209-1 Population 108-27* 198-12* Fungicide 132-3 204-6 * Significantly different from high tech at P 0.05. Champaign, 2012
Standard vs High-Tech 2013 Standard High Tech Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ bu acre -1 None or All 225 256 Fertility 225 + 0 251-5 Nitrogen 231 + 6 253-3 Population 235 +10* 235-21* Fungicide 225 + 0 242-14* Insecticide 229 + 3 252-4 * Significantly different from high tech at P 0.05. Average of 2 trials in Harrisburg, 2013
Management Factor with Greatest Response Year Factor Standard High Tech Δ bushels acre -1 2009 Genetics +9-25 2010 Fungicide +11-35 2011 Fertility +14-17 2012 Irrigation +55-93 2013 Population? +10-21
Conclusions For maximum yield a systems approach is needed that combines individual practices known to impact productivity High yield must be planned for from the beginning because the factor or factors which drive increased yield depends on that season s weather
Conclusions Increasing plant population may be the foundation for pushing higher corn yields, but higher populations must be managed with the proper hybrid, fed with the right balance of nutrients and protected from biotic and abiotic stresses
Acknowledgements Personnel Brad Bandy Tryston Beyrer Tom Boas Ryan Becker Ross Bender Fernando Cantao Paula Cler Keila Cunha Paulo Galvao Laura Gentry Claire Geiger Jason Haegele Mark Harrison Cole Hendrix Adam Henninger Jim Kleiss Brandon Litherland Jack Marshall Bianca Moura Ellie Raup Matías Ruffo Juliann Seebauer Marjorie Souza Logan Smith Martín Uribelarrea Mike Vincent Alison Vogel Kyle Vogelzang Wendy White
Crop Physiology Lab Sites & Farm Cooperators DeKalb DeKalb - Eric Lawler H.B. Babson Farms Rushville - Mike Dyche Jr. Dyche Farms Inc Rushville Champaign Champaign UI Research Farm Harrisburg - Scott Berry Berry Farms Harrisburg
Acknowledgements Financial Support AGCO Agricen Agrium AgroFresh BASF Calmer Corn Heads Crop Production Services Dawn Equipment Dow AgroSciences DuPont/Pioneer Fluid Fertilizer Foundation GrowMark Honeywell Helena Chemical Company Illinois Corn Marketing Board Illinois Soybean Association IPNI John Deere Koch Agronomic Service Monsanto Mosaic Nachurs Netafilm Orthman Rosen s Inc. Syngenta Stoller Enterprises Valent BioSciences WinField Solutions Wolf Trax Wyffels Hybrids
Very Special Thanks Corn + Soybean Digest AdFarm Wolf Trax For more information: Crop Physiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu