PDMP Silage Research

2008 Forage Hybrid Trials
PDMP and PSU Testing Protocols

Hybrid maturity: In 2008 six maturity groups of hybrids will be evaluated. The groups are as follows:

Group 0 = 93-97 Days Relative Maturity (RM)
Group 1 = 98-103 Days Relative Maturity
Group 2 = 106 – 110 Days Relative Maturity
Group 3 = 111 – 115 Days Relative Maturity
Group 3RW = 111 – 115 Days Relative Maturity
Group 4 = 116 – 120 Days Relative Maturity

For Group 0 and 1:

These hybrids will be evaluated at two locations in northern PA and will consist of Group 0 (93 to 103 day) and Group 1 (98 to 103 day) RM hybrids.

For Group 2:

These hybrids will be evaluated at three locations in central PA and will consist of 106 to 110 day RM hybrids.

For Groups 3, 3RW and 4:

These hybrids will be evaluated in three south central PA locations similar to the previous two years. At each location two groups of hybrids will be grown. Group 3 will consist of 111 to 115 day RM hybrids. Group 4 will consist of 116 to 120 day RM hybrids. Group 3RW will consist only of rootworm resistant Bt hybrids between 111 to 115 day RM hybrids. No rootworm resistant Bt hybrid will be permitted in the conventional Group 3 test.

Locations:

Tests will be located on production dairy farm fields on PDMP cooperator farms strategically located in Lancaster, Franklin, Perry, for the Group 3 and 4 hybrids. Group 2 hybrids will be evaluated in Centre, Blair, and Clinton counties. The Group 1 hybrids will be evaluated in Bradford and Tioga counties. Within a maturity zone, the same set of hybrids will be evaluated at each location. A backup site will be planted at the Penn State research farm in Landisville for the later maturity groups and at the Rock Springs farm for the Group 2 locations. This will be used if any problems occur at the other sites.

Planting:

All hybrids will be replicated three times at each location. Plots will be planted in four row plots 17.5 feet long using a vacuum precision planter set to drop 32-33 kernels per row. Extra plants, primarily doubles and end plants, will be removed to reach a final population of 30,000 plants per acre. All plots will receive a granular insecticide at planting, except in the Group 3 RW test. This test will also be planted in a field previously cropped to corn.

Harvesting:

Harvesting will take place when the silage is near 65-70% in each maturity test. Sub samples will be taken from each plot and analyzed for typical corn silage nutrient levels including the 30 hour digestibility and NDF digestibility (NDFD) data using NIRS.

Data Reporting:

Silage yields and dry matter concentrations at harvest will be reported for each location and also averaged over all locations. Least significant differences and coefficients of variation will be reported for all variables. Forage quality traits with include crude protein, NDF, Starch, NEL, sugar, NFC ash, fat, and lignin. Milk/ton and milk/acre will be calculated using the University of Wisconsin Milk 2006 spreadsheet using the 30 hour NDFD data. Data will be reported by November 15 on the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences website (http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/). Seed treatments and biotech traits will be reported with each entry. Two year performance tables will also be developed to show the average performance of hybrids over two years.

Entry Forms & Payment:

Entry forms and payments are due to the PDMP office by March 10, 2008.

Seed:

Seed (4 lbs, medium round or medium flat) should be sent via UPS, Federal Express, or similar carriers, to the following address: Attn: John Shaffer, Corn Breeding Laboratory, Crop and Soil Sciences Seed Building, Fox Hollow Road, University Park, PA 16802 by March 24, 2008.