Des Moines, Iowa
August 14, 2008
While the potential yield of each
hybrid or variety are key selection criteria for producers,
plant breeders from Pioneer
Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, recommend growers keep in mind
the trait characteristics important to each field. Trait scores
offer growers the ability to further customize seed selections.
By evaluating growing conditions on a field-by-field basis,
growers can select traits needed from each seed product.
Selecting seed for the next season is an ongoing process for
growers – beginning with observing conditions throughout the
growing season and harvest and continuing with seed choice
evaluation post-harvest and comparing yields. As harvest wraps
up this fall, growers will focus on final seed decisions for
2009.
"Our data for characterization rating charts provide growers
with better indications of product performance for agronomic and
disease traits relevant to their situation," says Bill Curran,
Pioneer research scientist.
Growers plant varieties or hybrids with a specific expectation
level. When a grower plants a corn hybrid with a good stalk
strength score, the hybrid has shown in testing and evaluation
to have good stalk strength. When a grower plants a soybean
variety with a good sudden death syndrome (SDS) score, that
particular variety has shown good resistance to SDS.
Characterization charts offer growers this type of risk
management. Pioneer uses a 1 to 9 system, with 9 reflecting
superior performance for a given trait. Scores for
characterization charts are derived through years of compiled
research. Developing a trait score requires research in several
growing-environment conditions.
"We expose hybrids and varieties to many environmental, disease
and pest challenges and then evaluate how well that seed
performs," says Joe Keaschall, Pioneer research director.
"Managed environments are selected for specific traits to
magnify differences between seed products to get the best score
in extreme conditions."
Pioneer gathers information in a variety of ways, including
testing in a wide range of field plots, testing artificially in
laboratories, using proprietary assay techniques and, more
recently, using molecular fingerprints to understand performance
probabilities. Molecular markers allow researchers to examine
the DNA of inbreds, hybrids and varieties to determine traits
before field testing.
Before assigning a trait score to a hybrid or variety,
researchers have collected multiple data points over a period of
years. "Once trait data are collected and analyzed, they are
classified using a proprietary system for trait scoring. A score
is not assigned until there are relevant comparisons with widely
grown benchmark hybrids." says Curran.
"We continually work to refine our scoring methodologies to
provide the most reliable, accurate information," says
Keaschall. "Knowing the key characteristics of our products –
how well a product performs given the growing conditions and
environment – offers a grower the ability to choose the best
hybrid or variety for each field."
With high commodity and input prices, the stakes are even higher
for growers when it comes to deciding which hybrids or varieties
to purchase for 2009.
"For example, if a grower knows an area on the farm has a higher
chance of brittle snap, gray leaf spot or other conditions, a
hybrid that matches those concerns can be selected," says
Keaschall. "Growers need to understand their fields and
environments and make a choice by prioritizing the highest areas
of concerns, choosing a variety or hybrid that offers the
highest probability of success.
"Every seed company offers growers trait scores, but growers
cannot take one company's scores and compare the scores to
another company," says Keaschall. "Along with selecting hybrids
and varieties for agronomic scoring traits, Pioneer
characterization charts also offer scores for special use.
Growers will find ratings for livestock producers and ethanol
processors with scores including silage tonnage, fiber
digestibility, extractable starch content, total fermentables
and other relevant scores for specific end use."
Using a characterization chart is an important part of the
hybrid and variety selection process for growers.
"Pioneer suggests growers consult with their sales professional
and review which qualities are important to each field and make
a choice based on that information," says Keaschall. "Each year
always brings new challenges to growers. This year we have seen
a very diverse growing season. We suggest growers continue to
make sound decisions based on their individual fields and
product performance goals for the upcoming season."
"We collect data throughout the plant life cycle," says Curran.
"Consistency on the front end though multiple testing and
evaluation makes the data we use to determine trait scores more
reliable, and Pioneer has the most reliable scoring systems on
the market today."
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
® Registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred. |
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