Purdue, Bayer Crop Science See Early Success with Short Stature Corn Trials

New research being conducted at Purdue University in partnership with Bayer Crop Science has seen early indications that short-stature corn hybrids perform well agronomically and have yields that are near to those for full-stature hybrids when grown in the same environment. 

After the first year of research conducted at two separate sites: the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) near West Lafayette, Ind., and the Pinney-Purdue Ag Center near Wanatah in northwest Indiana, the short-stature hybrids have tolerated higher plant populations and narrower rows while showing promise to yield well. 

However, it’s still early days and there are remaining questions such as what seeding rate will the new hybrids need and how will they stand up to harvesting? One of the biggest challenges for these hybrids is ear height and position in connection to harvestability and the ability to work with today’s equipment.

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