Fleasibility Studies on Planting Corn Trials to a Stand
1987
Bowman, D. T.
Researchers have historically stressed uniformity of plant stands in corn (Zea mays L.) yield trials to reduce variability. This has mandated that all trials be over-planted and later thinned. For this study, field trials were conducted in seven environments to determine the feasibility of planting corn yield trials to a stand by planting at a seeding rate of 110% of desired stand; this was compared to the standard practice of overplanting and thinning. Ten hybrids in each of three maturity groups were randomly selected for the study. A split plot arrangement was used with whole plots consisting of hybrids and subplots consisting of thinning vs. no-thinning of stands. Soil types were a Portsmouth sandy loam (fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, thermic Typic Umbraquults) and a Goldsboro loamy sand (fine-loamy siliceous, thermic Aquic Paleudults). Variables analyzed included yield, percentage of desired stand, and standard deviation of distance between adjacent plants. Planting to a stand (no-thin) resulted in less uniform stands for all maturity groups; however, this did not produce significantly lower yields. Percentage of desired stand was equivalent between the two treatments for early and medium-maturing hybrids but the no-thin treatment produced significantly greater than 100% stands for the late-maturing hybrids. Error variances and F values for analyzing yield among entries were comparable between the two treatments. Nonsignificant entry-treatment and environment-entry-treatment interactions and equivalent stands suggest that planting to a stand is feasible.
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