Site-specific zone delineation for varying Maize Hybrids based on field variability: a multi-hybrid planting application case study in eastern Nebraska

• Published in: Precision agriculture 2023-06, Vol.24 (3), p.879-896
• Main Authors: Stevens, Rachel, Luck, Joe D., Evans IV, John T., Thompson, Laura J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Atmospheric Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Corn; Delineation; Drought resistance; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Growing season; Hybrids; Information processing; Interpolation; Life Sciences; Optimization; Physics; Placement; Planting; Rainfall; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Seasons; Soil properties; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil texture; Soil types; Soil water; Soils; Statistics for Engineering; Texture; Variability; Vegetation index; Water availability
• ISSN: 1385-2256; 1573-1618
• DOI: 10.1007/s11119-022-09978-0

The ability to plant two or more hybrids during a single planting operation (i.e., multi-hybrid planting) has the potential to mitigate in-field yield variation caused by soil, disease pressures, environmental and water conditions. A multi-hybrid planting platform was utilized to conduct on-farm research trials in ten eastern Nebraska fields in 2016 and 2017. Trials focused on placement of an offensive versus defensive (i.e., drought tolerant) maize hybrid, largely based on soil type and water availability interactions. Management zones were created through use of Management Zone Analyst to cluster correlated data layers, including historic yield, soil texture and electrical conductivity maps into zones. Hybrid placement and zone delineation effectiveness were assessed through in-season vegetative index readings and yield comparisons after harvest. Above average growing season rainfall led to mixed yield results for both growing seasons with six sites showing no difference in hybrid-by-zone placement and four sites indicating a single hybrid outperformed the multi-hybrid approach. Results indicated a single hybrid should have been planted within each field to optimize economic return. In several fields, however, there was no negative consequence for planting a defensive hybrid which could provide a level of yield protection during drier years. Zone scenarios were created for each field to find correct zone delineation and hybrid placement for the respective growing season. Optimum hybrid placement was derived for each site using post processing and spatial interpolation techniques, however further validation across more site-years would mitigate the high amounts of temporal variability due to the growing seasons studied.