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Corn population strip trial results
By David G. Hallauer Meadowlark District Extension Agent, crops, soils, horticulture As promised, here are the results from the 2007 Meadowlark Extension District Corn Population strip trial at Winchester, hosted by Domann Farms. Results are also available online at: www.oznet.ksu.edu/meadowlark/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=13. You can also get to it at www.oznet.ksu.edu/meadowlark/ under the Crops & Soils tab. In order from lowest to highest population, the results are as follows: 24,000--143.5; 26,000--146.4; 28,000--149.9; 30,000--150.7; 32,000--154.6. Yields are corrected for moisture. Revised KSU recommendations (for 2007) suggest a FINAL plant population 100 to 150 bushel/A yield potential) of 22,000 to 25,000 plants per acre with a seeding rate of 26,000 to 29,500 (assuming high germination and that 85 percent of seeds produce plants). Based on those recommendations, and the fact that yields continued to increase, even at 32,000 seeds/A, what should producers take from this? For starters, remember that this is one year of results--and that year was pretty decent in terms of rainfall at this site--one that wasn't severely stressed all growing season. Compare that to KSU population recommendations for limited irrigation of 28,000--33,000 and this site's yields don't seem all that out of line. Second, ask yourself--does the increased yield merit increased seeding rates. An increase in seeding rate from 28,000 to 32,000 is an increase of about 12.5 percent. The increased yield from 28,000 to 32,000: 3 percent. Input your yield, sale price, and seed cost to determine whether those numbers make sense for you. Information on all of this year's plots will be shared at the MED/AT Crops School in December. Wheat plot planted The Meadowlark Extension District Wheat Variety plot planted in cooperation with the Sabetha Farmer's Coop Elevator and cooperator Doug Edelman was planted on Oct. 5. A plot lineup with location, management, etc., will be published in the near future. Sunscald on thin-barked trees Many young, smooth, thin-barked trees (honey locusts, fruit trees, ashes, oaks, maples, lindens and willows) tend to be susceptible to sunscald and bark cracks. Due to conversations with homeowners lately, we may well be seeing some of last year's effects right now. Sunscald normally develops on the south or southwest side of the tree during late winter when sunny, warm winter days heat the bark to relatively high temperatures. Research done in Georgia has shown that the southwest side of the trunk of a peach tree can be 40 degrees warmer than shaded bark. This warming action can cause a loss of cold hardiness of the bark tissue resulting in cells becoming active. These cells then become susceptible to lethal freezing when the temperature drops at night. Once damaged, bark tissue becomes sunken and discolored in late spring, eventually cracking and sloughing off. Trees often recover but will need some TLC (especially watering during dry weather). Applying tree wrap from the ground to the start of the first branches can protect recently planted trees. This should be done in October to November. Date: 10/25/07
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