RE: Yield Variability

Jim Quinton (jquinton@csc.noaa.gov)
Wed, 28 Oct 1998 17:43:15 -0500

Could there be some difference in understanding the term "open pollinated"
here... IMO "open pollinated" is what we had in grandfather's early days
back in the 1920s before hybrid seed corn was developed. He sent the field
hands out the the corn crib in the late winter to gather up ears that had
been stored over winter. They hand shelled the middle kernels (to get
uniform size and flatness) until they had enough to plant the intended
acreage. The corn was not bred for anything. It was just bin-run corn.

If this is what is meant by "open pollinated" there won't be any contest
whatsoever. The old "open pollinated" corn could maybe yield 60 bu/acre...
tops! It didn't matter how much cow manure you used. If, on the other
hand, what you mean by "open pollinated" is actually an F2 generation from
hybrids, there should still be a terrific yield drag. Dale, this just
wouldn't even be a contest!

At 01:35 PM 10/28/98 -0600, Wilson, Dale wrote:
>Hi Chuck,
>
>> and said that his data show that there would be very little
>> difference in yields harvested today from the good open
>> pollinated corn varieties of the 1970s
>> in contrast to the best hybrids, when both are grown
>> in soil, climate where there are ample nutrients, water,
>> sun, and little pest pressure.
>
>Are you kidding?! Adapted hybrid corn varieties at appropriate stand
>density would beat the socks off the best available OP's. The best
>synthetics might be a closer challenge, but even then I'd bet the hybrids
>would be clearly better.

Jim Quinton, Risk Management Coordinator
Agricultural Conservation Innovation Center (ACIC)
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston, SC 29405-2413

phone: (843) 740-1327
fax: (843) 740-1331

e-mail: Jim.Quinton@agconserv.com

http://www.agconserv.com/

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