SHUMWAY, Ill. — G2 Genetics 5H-515 yielded the highest bushels per acre in a southern Illinois corn seed test plot this year. The variety, in Effingham County, produced 151.9 bushels per acre at an estimated gross income of $987.40 per acre, with a moisture level of 15 percent.

Conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) at David Soltwedel’s farm in Shumway, the test plot’s soil was Hoyleton/Cisine silt loam that was moderately-poorly drained, conventional with fall tillage and non-irrigated.

This full-season test plot was also rated moderate low P and moderate low K with a 6.1 pH and a 2.1 percent OM. F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Eric Beyers said Soltwedel’s plot yields were poorer than most of his other fields this year.

“The June rains limited opportunities of application of its post-herbicide, so it had early weed pressures,” Beyers said. “Ear development was poor in some hybrids, while others seemed good. Plant heights equaled 8-10 inches. Stalk and root integrity were still good right up ’til harvest.”

The plot was planted at 28,700 seeds per acre on May 23 and harvested Oct. 29 at 26,100 plants per acre.

Heritage 4782GENVT2P placed second best in the test, producing 151.5 bushels per acre, with a moisture level of 14.2 percent and a gross income estimate of $984.80. The third highest-yielding hybrid was Stone 6502GVT2P, producing 151.3 bushels per acre, with a moisture level of 14.5 percent and a gross income estimate of $983.50.

G2 Genetics 5H-716 also ranked 14th, at 145.2 bushels per acre, with a gross estimated income of $943.80 and a moisture level of 14.9 percent; and G2 Genetics 5H-013 rated 18th at 141 bushels per acre, with a gross estimated income of $916.50 and a moisture level of 14.7 percent.

In the same plot, Pfister hybrid 2674HXTR was the highest yielder in an early-season corn test, at 133.4 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $867.10 per acre and a moisture level of 14.4 percent.

The second highest-yielding hybrid in was Wyffels W7477, producing 128.3 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $834 and a moisture level of 14.4 percent.

The third highest-yielding hybrid was Pioneer P1018HR GC, producing 124.9 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $811.90 and a moisture level of 14.7 percent.

What’s more, Pfister also rated 14th, at 145.2 bushels per acre, with a gross estimated income of $943.80 and a moisture level of 14.9 percent; and Pfister 2574HXTR placed 23rd, producing 110.1 bushels per acre, earning a gross income of $715.70 per acre and having a moisture level of 14.3 percent.

See www.firstseedtests.com for a complete listing of the hybrids tested, or for more information on hosting a test plot.