Crude Protein, and other Chemical Constituents of Corn Hybrids Evaluated in the 1994 Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Tests

Grain samples have been collected each year since 1990 from three locations of the Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test and analyzed for crude protein (CP). The objective was to provide an unbiased comparative evaluation of the CP concentration of com hybrids sold in Kentucky. The results indicate that while management and environment at each test location may have significant influences, CP does differ among hybrid genotypes. The feeding value of specific hybrid genotypes based on their protein concentration may have significant influence in diet formulation for non-ruminant animals due to the amount of supplement needed to properly balance the diet, and may be an important economic factor in animal production. Previous summaries of annual results have been published (I, 2, 3). CP data for hybrids tested in 1994 plus multiple year means derived from data collected in three previous years are included in this report. Annual data are averaged over locations

Hybrid Variation for Yield, Crude Protein, Feed Value and Percent Lysine of Corn Grown in the 1991 Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test

These data are the results from the second year of protein analyses of corn hybrids grown at three locations in the Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test. These analyses were supported. by a grant from the Kentucky Corn Growers Association

Hybrid Reactions to Phytotoxic Effects of The Corn Herbicide, Eradicane Extra

Although corn hybrids are primarily evaluated only for yield performance in the Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test, the 1984 test (Poneleit and Evans, 1985) provided a unique opportunity to evaluate hybrid reactions to an unusual hybrid-herbicide interacting Of seven non-virus test locations, four were treated with Eradicane Extra or Eradicane for weed control. At the Princeton location Eradicane Extra, at 8 pints/acre, was used for johnsongrass rhizome suppression and seedling control. In late July, a routine check revealed that numerous plants had unusual appearances that were similar to abnormalities reported earlier as caused by Eptam and Eradicane (Poneleit et aI, 1975). Subsequent observations confirmed the severity of damage at the Princeton test site and reports of similar hybrid reactions from farmer fields prompted the collection of apparent herbicide damage data from the replicated Princeton test. The other performance test sites where Eradicane Extra or Eradicane was applied did not show significant plant abnormalities. Apparently the appearance of phytotoxic effects owing to Eradicane Extra are sporadic and strongly influenced by specific interaction of environmental factors. It was postulated that this injury occurrence in 1984 was the result of excessive rainfall four to six weeks after planting. Dichlormid (safener) is very water soluble and could have been leached away from the corn roots, and thus not available to protect the corn from EPTC

Crude Protein of Hybrid Corn Varieties Evaluated in the Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Tests from 1990 to 1993

Grain samples have been collected each year since 1990 from three locations of the Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test and analyzed for crude protein. The objective was to provide an unbiased comparative evaluation of the crude protein content of corn hybrids sold in Kentucky. The results indicate that while management and environment at each test 1ocat i on may have significant influences, crude protein does differ among hybrid genotypes. The feeding value of specific hybrid genotypes based on their protein content may have significant influence in diet formulation for non-ruminant animals owing to the amount of supplement needed to properly balance the diet, and may be an important economic factor in animal production. Previous summaries of annual results have been published. Only crude protein data are included in this report and are summarized over locations in a year and as multiple year summaries

Hybrid Variation for Yield, Crude Protein, and Feed Value of Corn

The value of corn as a feed grain depends on the yield per acre, the protein content of the grain, and for some livestock, the lysine level of the protein. Most farmers are aware of yield differences among hybrid corn varieties but may not realize that protein content can also vary significantly. Grain protein level should be accounted for to determine how much protein supplementation will be needed to balance an appropriate animal diet. However, since corn protein is deficient in the amino acid lysine, which is essential for non-ruminant animals, lysine content as well as crude protein content should be considered in diet formulations for these animals