1. Let the results be expressed as NET economic returns, and to give
Dale every possible benefit (given that he will be starting at a
disadvantage), let's make his hybrid a GE hybrid, complete with
licensing fee. The OP corn will be the best currently available (see
below).
2. Let each crop (hybrid and OP) be grown under optimal conditions -
for IT - which may not be the same - and let the input costs vary
accordingly.
3. Let each crop compete under a range of growing environments - not
"low input" per se but on healthy (disease suppressive) and unhealthy
soils (as per Chuck's message; there is an increasingly alarming
range of journal lit on this very interesting topic), in dry and wet
conditions, etc. etc. This will let us test the robustness of the
genetics of the two corns.
I can find a grower who has selected his own OP corn, here close to
Guelph, who might be able to contribute some seed. He came in and
spoke to our corn breeder recently.
I cannot speak to the question of whether current (or 70's) OP corn
can compete in absolute yield with the best contemporary hybrids, but
I have been told by a knowledgeable and well respected plant breeder,
that had as much effort been expended in breeding OP corn as has gone
into hybrid corn, the yields would be as good. Ann
ACLARK@plant.uoguelph.ca
Dr. E. Ann Clark
Associate Professor
Crop Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 2508
FAX: 519 763-8933
http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/www/CRSC/faculty/eac.htm
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