New research into corn root volume and architecture is leading to a better understanding of hybrid selection and crop management.
Jim Schwartz, director of research, agronomy, and PFR at Beck’s Hybrids, tells Brownfield they’ve teamed with Purdue, the University of Illinois, and others to intensely study the root mass of a corn plant…
“Our data is tending to indicate that perhaps vertical root architectures, maybe they perform better in low yielding environments under stress.” He says, “That’s one thing that we think we’re seeing that we want to continue to explore.”
Schwartz says the development of special “corn root boxes” has been key…
“When you dig in the field, you’re breaking off so many roots, so it gives us a visual look into root volume and root architecture and even root structure of the individual roots as well that we’ve never really been able to see before,” he says.
