Seven Wonders of The
Corn Growing World
Fred Below
Crop Physiology Laboratory
Department of Crop Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
NAICC 2014 Annual Meeting & Ag Expo, New Orleans, LA January 30, 2014
Quest for 300 Bushel Corn
•9 billion people by 2050
requires a doubling of grain
production including corn
•300 bu corn produced each
year in the U.S. National
Corn Growers Contest
Quest for 300 Bushel Corn
•Intelligent Intensification
with the Seven Wonders of
the Corn Yield World
•What are the factors that
have the biggest impact on
corn yield each year?
Seven Wonders of the Corn
Yield World
•Ranks those factors that each
year can have a positive (and
sometimes negative) impact
on corn yield
•Gives each factor an average
bushel per acre value
Crucial Prerequisites, but not
Yield Wonders
•Drainage
•Pest/Weed Control
•Proper soil pH & adequate
levels of P and K based on
soil tests
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
Fertilizer N rate (lb acre-1)
Gra
in y
ield
(b
u a
cre
-1)
Weather and Nitrogen
0 50 100 150 200
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
2009
2008
Same site – DeKalb, IL
Weather and Nitrogen
0 50 100 150 200 250
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
2005
2006
Fertilizer N rate (lb acre-1)
Gra
in y
ield
(b
u a
cre
-1)
Same site – Champaign, IL
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
Biotechnology Traits for Insect Control
Western Corn Rootworm
(Diabrotica virgifera)
0 50 100 150 200 250
120
150
180
210
240
Single
Double
Triple
Better N Use From Biotechnology Traits
Fertilizer N rate (lb acre-1)
Gra
in y
ield
(b
u a
cre
-1)
Champaign, IL 2006
Crop Sci. 53:585-594 (2013)
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield Rank Yield
bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1
1 216.3 17 193.3 33 180.8 49 163.9
2 211.1 18 193.0 34 179.3 50 163.7
3 210.6 19 192.4 35 179.0 51 163.5
4 210.4 20 192.3 36 178.0 52 163.0
5 208.1 21 192.1 37 176.0 53 162.3
6 206.6 22 191.5 38 174.2 54 162.3
7 203.1 23 190.3 39 174.1 55 160.3
8 202.5 24 188.4 40 173.4 56 156.6
9 202.0 25 188.1 41 172.8 57 153.8
10 201.2 26 187.1 42 172.5 58 153.4
11 200.5 27 186.5 43 172.1 59 153.2
12 199.3 28 186.5 44 169.2 60 153.0
13 194.5 29 185.1 45 167.9 61 151.1
14 194.2 30 184.9 46 167.6 62 135.6
15 194.2 31 184.3 47 165.8 63 132.6
16 194.1 32 181.6 48 165.2 64 129.1
All Hybrids are Not Created Equal -2012
32,000 plants/acre with 240 lbs N at Champaign, IL in 2012 LSD (0.10) = 32.5
25 Previous Crop
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
20 Plant Population
25 Previous Crop
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
How have corn yields increased?
Year
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Gra
in y
ield
(b
u a
cre
-1)
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Pla
nt
den
sit
y (
ac
re-1
)
16000
18000
20000
22000
24000
26000
28000
30000
32000U.S. plant densityU.S. average grain yield
Source USDA
Grain Yield is a Product Function
of Yield Components
Yield = (plants/acre) x
(kernels/plant) x
(weight/kernel)
Some Examples of Yield Component
Combinations for Different Yields
200 bushels =
32,000 plants/ac x 550 kernels/plant x 250 mg/kernel
250 bushels =
36,000 plants/ac x 600 kernels/plant x 255 mg/kernel
300 bushels? =
45,000 plants/ac x 565 kernels/plant x 260 mg/kernel
Kernel weight expressed at 0% and yield at 15% moisture
Are Twin Rows a way to increase
Plant Population?
Champaign, 2009
30 inch rows vs twin rows both at 45,000 plants/acre
Twin Rows are Warmer
30” Rows (76 cm) Twin Rows
Champaign, IL August 20, 2011, 45,000 plants/acre
Lower canopy thermal images
Twin Rows Lose Lower Leaves
Lower canopy images
30” Rows (76 cm) Twin Rows
Champaign, IL August 26, 2011, 45,000 plants/acre
15 Tillage
20 Plant Population
25 Previous Crop
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
10 Growth Regulators
15 Tillage
20 Plant Population
25 Previous Crop
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
Given key prerequisites
10 Growth Regulators
15 Tillage
20 Plant Population
25 Previous Crop
50 Hybrid
70 Nitrogen
70+ Weather
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
bu/acre
Value Factor Rank
Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World
260 bu TOTAL Given key prerequisites
How to Get High Corn Yields?
• Optimize each of the seven
wonders and their positive
interactions.
• Provide better prerequisites,
season long weed control &
balanced fertility/nutrition
Prerequisites for High Yields?
• Proper soil pH & adequate
levels of P and K based on
soil tests
• Fertility- Use application
and fertilizer technologies
to supply required crop
nutrition
Nutrition Needed for 230 Bushel Corn
Nutrient Required
to Produce
Removed
with Grain
Harvest
Index
lbs/acre %
N 256 148 58
P2O5 101 80 79
K2O 180 58 32
S 23 13 57
Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62
B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
B U
pta
ke (
oz
B a
c-1
)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
GDDF
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Perc
en
t o
f T
ota
l (%
)
0
25
50
75
100
Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
Leaf Blades
V6 V10 V14 R2 R4 R6VE V4V2 VT/R1 R5
Growth Stage
Bo Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010
Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
Nutrition Needed for 230 Bushel Corn
Nutrient Required
to Produce
Removed
with Grain
Harvest
Index
lbs/acre %
N 256 148 58
P2O5 101 80 79
K2O 180 58 32
S 23 13 57
Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62
B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
N Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn
Growth Stage
Nit
rog
en
Up
take (
lb N
ac
-1)
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
GDDF
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Perc
en
t (%
) o
f T
ota
l N
itro
gen
0
25
50
75
100Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
Leaf Blades
E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010
Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
P Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn
Growth Stage
Ph
osp
ho
rus U
pta
ke (
lb P
2O
5 a
c-1
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
GDDF
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Perc
en
t (%
) o
f T
ota
l P
ho
sp
ho
rus
0
25
50
75
100
Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
Leaf Blades
E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010
Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
Zn Uptake & Partitioning for 230 Bushel Corn
Growth Stage
Zin
c U
pta
ke (
oz
Zn
ac
-1)
0.0
0.8
1.6
2.4
3.2
4.0
4.8
5.6
6.4
7.2
GDDF
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Perc
en
t (%
) o
f T
ota
l Z
inc
0
25
50
75
100
Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
Leaf Blades
E V3 V6 V9 V14 V18 R1 R3 R5 R6
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010
Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
Feed the Plant Not the Soil
Better Fertilizer
• 250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials-SZ
35 lbs N, 100 lbs P2O5, 25 lbs S, 2.5 lbs Zn
Better Application
• Banded 4 to 6 inches deep
directly under the crop row
Improved Growth with Spring Banded MESZ
250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials = 35 N, 100 P2O5, 25 S, and 2.5 Zn
Champaign, IL 2011
No Corn Plant Left Behind
Champaign, IL 2011
Standard Technology
Fall broadcast, 32K plants
High Technology
Banded fertility, 45K plants
Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11
Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test
Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with
premium fertilizer (MESZ) and/or banding
Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea
Extra N (60+ lbs) as sidedress and weather
protection (urease and/or nitrification)
Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid
Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid
Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac
Fungicide No Fungicide
Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
High Tech Package vs Traditional 2009-11
High Technology Package Standard Practice
Ears from
1/1000 of an
acre
Year Standard High
Tech D
bu acre-1
2009 198 260 +62*
2010 188 230 +42*
2011 169 195 +26*
Average 185 228 +43*
Corn Yield Response to Management
*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05.
Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Standard vs High Tech Package 2009-11
Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test
Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with
premium fertilizer (MESZ) and/or banding
Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea
Extra N (60 lbs) as sidedress and weather
protection (urease and/or nitrification)
Genetics Refuge and/or Workhorse Hybrid
Triple stack and/or Racehorse Hybrid
Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac
Fungicide No Fungicide
Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
FACTORS
TREATMENT Fertility Nitrogen Genetics Population Fungicide
HIGH TECH MESZ Base +
sidedress
Triple stack/
Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin
Rem
ove
Tech
no
log
y
Fertility Soil test Base +
sidedress Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin
Nitrogen MESZ Base Triple/Racehorse 45,000 Strobilurin
Genetics MESZ Base +
sidedress Refuge/workhorse 45,000 Strobilurin
Population MESZ Base +
sidedress Triple/Racehorse 32,000 Strobilurin
Fungicide MESZ Base +
sidedress Triple/Racehorse 45,000 none
STANDARD Soil test Base Refuge/
Workhorse 32,000 none
Ad
d T
ech
no
log
y Fertility MESZ Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none
Nitrogen Soil test Base +
Sidedress Refuge/workhorse 32,000 none
Genetics Soil test Base Triple/Racehorse 32,000 none
Population Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 45,000 none
Fungicide Soil test Base Refuge/workhorse 32,000 Strobilurin
Omission Plot Experimental Design
Standard
System
Add One Enhanced Factor Yield D
bu acre-1
Standard Management 185
+Fertility (extra P, S, Zn and/or banding) 192 + 7*
+Nitrogen (+60 sidedress/ loss protected) 194 + 9*
+Genetics (triple stack/racehorse hybrid) 192 + 7*
+Population (45,000 plants/acre) 178 - 7*
+Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 190 + 5
Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management
*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in
2010, and 11 trials in 2011
High Tech System
Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield D
bu acre-1
High Tech all Five Factors 228
-Fertility (fertility from soil test) 217 -11*
-Nitrogen (unprotected from loss) 216 -12*
-Genetics (refuge/workhorse hybrid) 212 -16*
-Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 221 - 7*
-Fungicide (no fungicide) 207 -21*
Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System
*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in
2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Traditional High Tech
Factor Yield D Yield D
bu acre-1
None or All 185 228
Fertility 192 + 7 217 -11
Nitrogen 194 + 9 216 -12
Genetics 192 + 7 212 -16
Population 178 - 7 221 - 7
Fungicide 190 + 5 207 -21
Standard vs High-Tech Management
Average of 2 trials in 2009, 2 trials in 2010, and 11 trials in 2011
Year Factor Standard High
Tech
D bushels acre-1
2009 Genetics (rootworm trait)
+9 -25
2010 Fungicide +11 -35
2011 Fertility +14 -17
Management Factor with Greatest Response
Year Factor Standard High
Tech
D bushels acre-1
2009 Genetics (rootworm trait)
+9 -25
2010 Fungicide +11 -35
2011 Fertility +14 -17
2012 Irrigation +55 -93
Management Factor with Greatest Response
Standard vs High Tech Package 2013
Fertility None, or fall P or K based on soil test
Balanced Crop Nutrition (N, P, S, & Zn) with
premium fertilizer (MESZ) and banding
Nitrogen 180 lbs pre-plant as UAN or urea
Extra N (60+ lbs) as sidedress and weather
protection (urease and/or nitrification)
Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 45,000 plants/ac
Fungicide No Fungicide Headline-Amp or Quilt-Xcel @ R1
Row Space 30 inch row spacing
20 inch row spacing
Standard
System
Add One Enhanced Factor Yield D
bu acre-1
Standard Management 196
+Fertility (extra N, P, S, Zn and/or banding) 204 + 8*
+Nitrogen (plus sidedress/ loss protected) 201 + 5
+Population (45,000 plants/acre) 197 + 1
+Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 196 0
+Row Spacing (20 inch rows ) 200 + 4
Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management
*Significantly different from standard P ≤ 0.05, Average of 3 trials in 2013
High Tech System
Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield D
bu acre-1
High Tech all Five Factors 231
-Fertility (fertility from soil test) 223 - 8*
-Nitrogen (unprotected from loss) 227 - 4
-Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 218 -13*
-Fungicide (no fungicide) 227 - 4
-Row Spacing (30 inch rows) 217 -14*
Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System
*Significantly different from high tech P ≤ 0.05, Average of 3 trials in 2013
Standard High Tech
Factor Yield D Yield D
bu acre-1
None or All 196 231
Fertility 204 +8* 223 - 8*
Nitrogen 201 +5 227 - 4
Population 197 +1 218 -13*
Fungicide 196 0 227 - 4
Row Space 200 +4 217 -14*
Standard vs High-Tech Management
*Significantly different from standard or high tech P ≤ 0.05
Average of 3 trials in 2013
Conclusions • For maximum yield a systems
approach is needed that combines individual practices known to impact productivity
• High yield must be planned for from the beginning because the factor or factors which drive increased yield depends on that season’s weather
Conclusions
• Increasing plant population may be the foundation for pushing higher corn yields, but higher populations must be managed with narrower row spacing, the proper hybrid, fed with the right balance of nutrients and protected from biotic and abiotic stresses
Acknowledgements
•Brad Bandy
•Tryston Beyrer
•Tom Boas
•Ryan Becker
•Ross Bender
•Fernando Cantao
•Paula Cler
•Keila Cunha
•Paulo Galvao
•Laura Gentry
•Claire Geiger
•Jason Haegele
•Mark Harrison
•Cole Hendrix
•Adam Henninger
•Jim Kleiss
•Brandon Litherland
•Jack Marshall
•Bianca Moura
•Ellie Raup
•Matías Ruffo
•Juliann Seebauer
•Marjorie Souza
•Logan Smith
•Martín Uribelarrea
•Mike Vincent
•Alison Vogel
•Kyle Vogelzang
•Wendy White
Personnel
Champaign
Harrisburg
Crop Physiology Lab Sites
& Farm Cooperators
DeKalb - Eric Lawler
H.B. Babson Farms
Rushville - Mike Dyche Jr.
Dyche Farms Inc
Champaign – UI Research Farm
Harrisburg - Scott Berry
Berry Farms
Rushville
DeKalb
Acknowledgements
•AGCO
•Agricen
•Agrium
•AgroFresh
•BASF
•Calmer Corn Heads
•Crop Production Services
•Dawn Equipment
•Dow AgroSciences
•DuPont/Pioneer
•Fluid Fertilizer Foundation
•GrowMark
•Honeywell
•Helena Chemical Company
•Illinois Corn Marketing Board
•Illinois Soybean Association
•IPNI
•John Deere
•Koch Agronomic Service
•Monsanto
•Mosaic
•Nachurs
•Netafilm
•Orthman
•Rosen’s Inc.
•Syngenta
•Stoller Enterprises
•Valent BioSciences
•WinField Solutions
•Wolf Trax
•Wyffels Hybrids
Financial Support