Corn Definitions

1. Drought Stress: Quantifies a hybrid's ability to continue to produce viable grain when water is severely limited to the roots and/or canopy.

2. Root Strength: Measurement of a hybrid's ability to maintain root integrity, especially later in the cropping season when diseases begin to prevail.

3. Stalk Strength: Measurement of a hybrid's ability to maintain stalk integrity, especially later in the cropping season when diseases begin to prevail.

4. Seedling Emergence: Measurement of a hybrid's ability to emerge from cooler than normal soil conditions.

5. Staygreen: Sometimes used interchangeably with the phrase "fall appearance," staygreen is an overall assessment of a hybrid's health late into the cropping season.

6. Test Weight: The weight of one bushel of corn. U.S. No. 1 grade minimum is 56 pounds of corn per bushel at 15.5% moisture.

7. High Population Response: Measurement of a hybrid's ability to continue to put on yield as plant populations are increased above normal.

8. Low Population Response: Measurement of a hybrid's ability to add grain to each ear as populations are decreased below normal.

Rating Scale

The ratings "E," "VG," "G," "A" and "BA" are determined in comparison to an average rated variety.
E = Excellent: The highest rating given to a variety for that characteristic.
VG = Very Good: A well above average rating for that characteristic.
G = Good: An above average rating for that characteristic.
A = Average: An acceptable rating equal to an average variety for that characteristic.
BA = Below Average: A variety that does not rate favorably for the characteristic.