Manipulating maize genetics and agronomy for improved yield and reliability in northern NSW – Breeza 2017/18

Abstract

Key findings • Early planting into a soil temperature of less than 10 °C, which is lower than the industry recommendation of 12° C, did not affect plant establishment at this site in this season. Further research is needed to validate these results and allow for consideration of the effects in different seasons when frosts can occur around sowing. • Varying the sowing date from early August to late August or to mid-September did not affect grain yield. • There was no significant difference in grain yield between the three hybrids included in this experiment: Pioneer® P1467, Pioneer® P1756 and PAC 606IT. • The optimum plant density for all hybrids was determined as 8.4 plants/m2 where the predicted yield for the three times of sowing was 7.2–7.7 t/ha.