SALEM, Ill. — Lewis 1215VT3P yielded the highest bushels per acre in a southern Illinois corn seed trial in late October.

The variety, tested in Marion County, produced 154.9 bushels per acre at an estimated gross income of $1,002.60 per acre, with a moisture level of 16.1 percent.

Conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) at Tom Beyers’ farm in Salem, Ill., the full-season test plot’s soil was Hoyleton silty clay loam that was moderately poor drained, conventional without fall tillage and non-irrigated.

The soil condition of the plot, which Beyers treated with SmartStax, also rated moderate P, moderate K, with a 7.1 pH and a 2.8 percent OM.

Tom said a strong storm around Aug. 2 produced more than two inches of rain and wind, snapping some hybrids and “reducing their stands almost entirely.”

Eric Beyers, F.I.R.S.T. site manager, said beyond the green snapping, root lodging in Tom’s plot was also prominent. “Plant heights equaled 10 inches,” he said. “Most hybrids’ ear development was good. Kernel set and grain quality were very good.”

The plot was planted at 28,700 seeds per acre June 2 and harvested Oct. 30 at 27,200 plants per acre.

In addition, Stone 6324GVT3P placed second in the test, producing 153.9 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $1,000 and a moisture level of 15.1 percent.

The third highest-yielding hybrid was Kruger K-7215, producing 153.7 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $997.50 per acre and a moisture level of 15.4 percent.

In an early-season test on the same plot, Kruger K4-9710 was the highest-yielding hybrid, producing 153.7 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $997.50 per acre and a moisture level of 15.4 percent.

Kruger K-4207 ranked 16th at 136.3 bushels, with a gross estimated income of $886 and a moisture level of 14.1 percent; and Kruger K-7312 ranked 30th at 127.9 bushels, with a gross estimated income of $831.40 and a moisture level of 14.7 percent.

Pfister 2674HXTR placed second best hybrid in the full-season test, producing 150.2 bushels per acre, with a gross income estimate of $975.20 and a moisture level of 15.3 percent.

The third highest-yielding hybrid was AgriGold A6489VT3, producing 150.1 bushels, with a gross income estimate of $969.60 and a moisture level of 16.6 percent.