How Do Agronomic Traits Affect Corn Seed Selection?

By CropLife Staff|September 19, 2023

From prioritizing ROI to factoring in environmental conditions, there are several considerations to make when selecting corn seed, according to this article on FBN Network. But perhaps one of the most important factors to consider is agronomic traits. Agronomic traits can have a direct impact on a corn crop by affecting maturity, plant height and structure, yield potential, and stalk strength and standability. Here’s a look at each:

Maturity. Choosing the proper maturity is crucial to match the length of your growing season, but so is how you manage it. Consider using multiple maturities to help mitigate the risks of both known and unknown environmental factors you could see throughout the season, as well as to better plan out your harvest timeline and progression to gain more operational efficiency.
Plant Height and Structure. Plant height and structure affect crop management practices like planting density, disease management and ease of mechanical harvesting. Taller plants may require more space between rows to prevent shading, while shorter, more compact plants might have better standability in windy conditions. Ear placement is another factor that can have an impact on plant stability and harvestability.
Yield Potential. Traits like ear size, kernel count and overall plant health directly impact how much yield a particular variety can produce under specific conditions and how that hybrid can or should be managed.
Stalk Strength and Standability. Strong stalks and good standability traits can withstand the weight of developing ears and reduce losses due to lodging.

Read the full article at FBN Network.