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KY | Brad-
What you are experiencing is the genetic influence that various heterotic groups give our temperate corn hybrids in the US. Now, temperate corn hybrids are created from a single cross of a non stiff-stalk inbred line to a stiff-stalk inbred line. The stiff stalk families are typically good females because they produce short-fat round ears with many kernels. The common stiff stalk heterotic groups are B73 and B37. The Non Stiff-Stalk lines make good males because they have bulky tassels that produce a lot of pollen over a long period. The more common non-stiff stalk heterotic groups are Iodent, Lancaster, Mo17 and Oh43. The white cob was primarily introduced from genes developed and refined within white corn breeding. The white cob is preferred among food grade corn buyers because of the colorless chaff or "bees-wings". Unfortunately, the heterotic group origin of the white cob is more susceptible to cob rots...primarily fusarium, than the red cob heterotic group. A pink cob is simply the recombinant gene expression of Red and White cob varieties crossed together. If cob quality is a concern (as in corn after corn scenarios) and your primary objective is producing #2 yellow dent corn...then a red cob hybrid should be a clear choice. The red cob will be more consistent as far as cob quality. If high yield is the target, then positioning a hybrid to the soil/population is the key. There are hybrids that tolerate stress but never exceed yields of 200bu/acre as well as hybrids that don't tolerate stress (as in irrigated environments) that have excellent yield potential. Use an agronomist and study recent yield data only. Hybrids are changing fast now because of the ability to market new corn hybrids to the grower. Growers are more accepting of change.
Here's a brief overview on corn breeding.
http://res2.agr.ca/CRECO/zea/zea01_e.htm
Thanks,
Matt | |
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corn charecteristics
