- Progress Report 17 January 1954
l RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY CORN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN 1953
·* R. E. Anderson and J. F. Shane
_ The tests were designed primarily for the evaluation of experimental
hybrids developed by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. in its breeding
q program. There are also included experimental and commercially available hybrids
.-, developed by other state and federal agencies, several privately controlled hybrids,
hybrids currently recommended for certification in Kentucky, and three open-polli-
nated varieties.
This planting arrangenient provides a basis for adequate comparison be-
5 tween experimental and commercial hybrids. as well as for comparison within each
classification. The nine test areas were chosen to sampl.e the varying soil types,
' clirnates, and other conditions under which corn is grown in Kentucky. The locations
of the various performance trials are indicated in Figure l.
Yield data for 44 hybrids that were entered in tests at eight locations are
given in Table Z. Also included in Table Z. are yield datafor nine hybrids and three
open-pollinated varieties which were included in individual locations.
Data on moisture. standing ability, dead stalks, and eax height are given
in Table 3 for the 44 hybrids entered at eight locations.
. _ A test consisting of five experimental hybrids and twelve commercially
available hybrids was completed in Kenton County. Performance data for the hybrids
in this test are given in Table 5.
ExperggitrnemalpPrpcedure
' Cultural practices commonly followed in each location determined the
spacing of hills and the inumber of plants per hill. Such data along with fertilizer
4 treatment and date of planting and harvesting are given in Table 1. The conditions
within each trial area were maintained as uniiormly as possible.
` The entries in each test were compared on their performance in Z x 10
hill plots. The test in Kenton County was arranged in a randomized cornplete block
_ design with five replicatiors. At Princeton. the test was arranged in a quadruple
lattice design. All other tests were arranged in a 7 x 7 balanced lattice square
V design with four replications. Seed on privately controlled commercial hybrids was
· purchased on the open market, while seed of state or federally controlled hybrids
was obtained from the respective experiment stat;¥ox.·.s or from growers of certified
seed.
Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station
University of Kentucky
Lexington