4 MIN READ
What Are Short Stature Corn Hybrids?
July 30, 2022
Corn farmers face numerous challenges, including crop loss from severe weather events like derechos. Bayer is developing a game-changing Preceon™ Smart Corn System that will introduce short stature corn hybrids* developed through breeding innovations. But what are short stature corn hybrids and how will they help farmers manage risk while unlocking yield potential?
WHAT ARE SHORT STATURE CORN HYBRIDS?
As the name implies, short stature corn hybrids are corn hybrids developed to be shorter than standard-height corn hybrids — approximately one-third shorter, in fact. These hybrids are made possible through breeding trait innovation and will mark a transformation in how corn is produced.
HOW DO THEY MEASURE UP?
- The target plant height will be equal to or less than 7 feet compared to 9-12 feet for a traditional-height corn hybrid.
- Target ear height will be equal to or greater than 2 feet to maintain compatibility with standard ground equipment.
- Ear size is similar to that of current corn hybrids.
- Due to improved plant standability, they will allow farmers to explore higher planting densities, providing the potential to produce more on every acre.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOING SHORT?
Short stature corn hybrids represent a potential transformational shift in corn production, but their inherent advantages can be summarized into three key benefits:
PROTECTION
The short stature of these corn hybrids offers protection from crop yield loss thanks to increased tolerance to lodging and greensnap during high winds and challenging weather conditions. In some trials, short stature corn hybrids have withstood wind gusts in excess of 50 mph.**
ACCESS
Because traditional corn hybrids grow to a height of 9-12 feet, they eventually become inaccessible with standard ground equipment during the season. Thanks to their shorter height, short stature corn hybrids can be accessed all season long for more timely, precise application of crop protection and other inputs with standard equipment.
YIELD POTENTIAL
In initial trials, the root systems of short stature corn hybrids have demonstrated the potential to explore more soil volume faster than traditional-height corn hybrids.*** Along with an increased opportunity to optimize crop inputs, planting densities and field placement, short stature corn hybrids show promise in unlocking yield potential for farmers.****
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHORT STATURE CORN HYBRIDS
The Smart Corn System and short stature corn hybrids are the next evolution of corn production. You can learn more about this latest advancement in agriculture by clicking the links below.
*The Preceon™ Smart Corn System, including short stature corn developed through traditional breeding, is expected to be available, subject to final commercialization decisions, for planting in the 2024 growing season. Preceon™ is a trademark of Bayer Group.
**Based on Bayer internal trials 2018-2020 across a range of environments (535 locations, 16 states), including numerous testing locations in the path of the 2020 Derecho event across Iowa (results submitted for journal publication).
***Based upon root observations from 2018-2020 Bayer internal trials both in greenhouse and limited field environments (5 locations, 2 states) comparing limited genetics of short stature vs traditional height corn hybrids.
****Performance may vary.
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