|
|
|
Posted 26 December 2010. Crop Management. Genetic Diversity Helps Growers Manage Environmental Uncertainties Work with seed sales professionals to ensure right product for right acre Source: Pioneer Press Release. www.pioneer.com Des Moines, Iowa (November 30, 2010)--Growers can best manage risk by planting products with genetic diversity, says an agronomy expert at Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.
"Environmental factors can make the difference between a good and bad year," says Mike Rupert, agronomy research manager for Pioneer. "Planting a diverse lineup helps spread risk because certain diseases, insects and weather challenges impact crops differently at each stage of growth." Planting a diverse lineup of hybrids with varying maturities can help growers achieve the best overall yield potential and spread harvest dates. For instance, if a storm comes through during the growing season, it could greatly impact one hybrid at a given growth stage, causing brittle snap or stalk lodging. However, Rupert notes, a grower who plants multiple maturities may not see the same challenge on all the products. A range of maturities also allows a grower to stagger planting and harvest dates to take advantage of optimum conditions or to avoid growing-season stresses. For example, in regions that tend to experience midseason water stress, some growers adopt a "plant early corn early" strategy. Such a grower may plant as early as February or March in southern regions. This allows the corn to go through the critical reproductive phases before the plant feels the impact of heat or drought. A diverse genetic lineup also is key for minimizing risk from diseases while maximizing yield potential. A grower may plant one hybrid that resists diseases in a disease-prone field, while choosing another that features higher yield potential for a field where disease pressure historically is light. Taking extra time to determine the right product for the right acre helps spread risk. "Growers know their farms, and by choosing hybrids with tolerance or resistance to expected environmental and pest pressures, they can mitigate stress," Rupert says. Planting only one or two high-yielding hybrids across an operation increases susceptibility to environmental challenges. Growers may risk substantial crop loss. When choosing a hybrid, growers should look at a number of factors, including the soil nutrient program, the field's soil characteristics, tillage programs, residue and past disease challenges. "Pioneer has a vast bank of elite corn germplasm with more than 80 years of unique parent lines," Rupert adds. "Growers can be assured all hybrids sold in Pioneer® brand bags are genetically different from those of our competitors." Pioneer supports the Federal Seed Act, which requires seed corn tags or bags identify the unique variety name even though it allows the sale of seed under a different brand name. Growers should carefully check the seed corn "bag tags" to avoid planting hybrids from two different companies that have the same variety name. Pioneer sales professionals and agronomists strive to serve as a good source of agronomic knowledge for growers. "Pioneer sales professionals are well-trained and can explain the importance of genetic and maturity diversity," Rupert says. "They have the ability and know-how to help growers place the right product on the right acre." For more information, visit www.pioneer.com/corn or contact a local Pioneer sales professional. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred. Contact: |
