Page 35 - Logan County Farm Outlook - Spring 2013

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2013 LOGAN C
OUN
TY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com March 21, 2013
35
elements of nature or chemical
combinations that can affect plant
health from germination to final product.
In the field, plants can be affected by
salts; nutrient imbalances; harmful
minerals such as boron that is natural
in the soil; excess water; prolonged
high temperatures that interrupt natural
daily respiration cycles;
temperatures that are too low,
worsened when combined
with water, which can lead
to waterborne decay and
diseases; evaporation from
excessive wind, worsened
when combined with heat
and sun (drought); herbicides
and pesticides; and other
influences.
Relative maturity represents the time
in thefield fromseed toharvest.How long
a crop takes to mature in any given year
will vary. Whether to sow or to harvest,
timing is critical between the last day to
plant, or when kernel moisture reaches
optimum for harvest, and potentially
harmful freezes. A crop in the field is
subject to all sorts of influences, natural
or otherwise, beyond the control of
the farmer. So, the shorter the time to
maturity, the better the chances of best
yield.
Is there still room for improvement
in the current drought-tolerant
hybrids? Are there traits that might
be incorporated to improve resilience
and bring higher yields?
Fields says yes, “quite a bit of room,
actually.” He added: “There is a good
amount of research and development
going into increased drought
tolerance right now by all major
seed developers and retailers
-- both from a breeding and
transgenic approach.”
Since a corn plant takes up
its moisture primarily through
its roots, “any kind of plant
protection that saves the roots adds to