STRONG, HEALTHY ROOTS GET CORN CROP OFF TO A STRONG START
February 1, 2022
When it comes to corn performance, what’s below ground plays a large role in determining how the crop will perform throughout the season. A strong, healthy root system, such as that offered by DEKALB® brand genetics, is key to promoting uniform emergence and season-long standability for high yield potential.
Young corn plants can be susceptible to root damage due to early-season diseases and insect pressure. Actively growing, vigorous and healthy roots can help protect against those threats to maintain the desired level of corn stands.
A healthy and well-developed root mass also enables the corn plant to utilize water and essential nutrients more efficiently, which is key to plant growth and development through the growing season. And, with plants firmly anchored in the soil, they are better able to withstand windstorms, saturating rains and other environmental challenges.
Corn product selection, soil conditions, herbicide injury and insect damage, especially corn rootworm, are issues that can contribute to lodging during the growing season. The DEKALB brand has introduced a new line of defense against corn rootworm for 2022. SmartStax® PRO Technology is the next generation of protection against this ongoing and costly threat.
Built on the strong foundation of SmartStax® Technology, SmartStax PRO with RNAi technology is the first product with three modes of action for corn rootworm control, as well as protection against above-ground pests.
At harvest time, standability is especially important for efficiency as well as protecting yield potential. Corn stalks and ears laying on the ground from plants impacted by root lodging pose a challenge for combines and can directly cause a reduction in harvested bushels.
Strong roots bred into DEKALB corn products contribute to high yield potential and consistent performance year after year. To learn more, contact your DEKALB Asgrow® dealer, consult your DEKALB Asgrow brand technical agronomist or visit DEKALB.com.
Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to — or used, processed or sold in — countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move materials containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.
SmartStax® PRO corn products will be commercially available for the 2022 growing season.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Bt products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your seed brand representative for the registration status in your state.
IMPORTANT IRM INFORMATION: RIB Complete® corn blend products do not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. See the IRM/Grower Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements.
Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields.
Roundup Ready® 2 Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of BASF Corporation. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® and Respect the Refuge® are registered trademarks of National Corn Growers Association. Asgrow and the A Design®, Asgrow®, Bayer, Bayer Cross, DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design™, Roundup Ready® and SmartStax® are trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2022 Bayer Group. All Rights Reserved.