INTA researchers are evaluating early and ultra-early corn hybrids in Santa Cruz and Chubut to measure their adaptation, yield potential and suitability for grain, silage and livestock feed production.
INTA researchers are evaluating corn hybrids at several locations in Santa Cruz and Chubut to determine how far corn production could expand into southern Patagonia.
The trials are generating local information on crop adaptation, performance and production potential under the region’s cold climate and short growing season.
Santiago Toledo, specialist at INTA Santa Cruz, indicated that “this initiative seeks to strengthen agricultural systems and provide new options for livestock, advancing in the challenge of determining how far the agricultural border of corn in Patagonia can expand.”
Trials Target Cold-Climate Adaptation
The Santa Cruz trials were conducted with seed company Laboulet Semences in Perito Moreno. Researchers assessed crop development, adaptation to different environments and the viability of production in the region.
The hybrids were selected for characteristics suited to Santa Cruz conditions, including base temperatures below 6 C, rapid drying, tolerance to moderate frost during some crop stages and production cycles of between 100 and 120 days, according to a press release.
Toledo stressed that it is essential to start working with the crop in the area, “evaluations were made in the past, we are currently studying new developments of corn hybrids from different seed companies that made available materials that, due to their characteristics, for example, corn from shorter production cycles, are promising, especially in our cold areas, where the risk of frost conditions the growth of the crop.”
Corn Could Strengthen Livestock Feed Supplies
Extensive livestock production, primarily sheep and some cattle, dominates much of the region. However, limited forage production from natural pastures restricts opportunities to improve livestock productivity.
“In this context, corn appears as a strategic crop for its potential contribution of energy, fiber and to a lesser extent protein, either through the production of grains or whole plant for silage, thinking of reducing animal nutrition costs of livestock, covering a hole of forage supply in autumn and winter, improving supply and contributing to regional productive development.”
Santa Cruz Trials Show Promising Yields
Results showed that early and ultra-early corn could be grown successfully in northern Santa Cruz, particularly near Perito Moreno, when supported by intensive management and supplemental irrigation.
“This experience constitutes a relevant technical background for the development of agricultural or agricultural-stock systems in Patagonia, demonstrating that the use of hybrids adapted to the cold, together with adequate nutritional and water management, allows promising production levels to be reached for the generation of fodder, silling and eventually grain production,” Toledo said.
And he added: “The results obtained reinforce the need to continue evaluating genetic materials, planting dates and management strategies that allow optimizing the stability and productivity of corn cultivation with yields of 7000 kilos (grains), 80 to 120 tons of green plant material and 15 to 26 tons of dry matter (whole plant) per hectare in southern environments of Santa Cruz.”
Researchers Evaluate Hybrids in Chubut
In northwest Chubut, livestock production also depends heavily on natural and planted pastures. INTA Esquel researchers worked with the same seed company to evaluate the development and performance of six ultra-early corn hybrids.
“The particular characteristics of these hybrids are interesting for the prevailing climatic conditions in the Northwest of Chubut, base temperatures lower than normal, fast drying, resistance to moderate frost in early stages of cultivation,” said Guillermo Lexow, from INTA Esquel.
Trevelin Trial Records Strong Whole-Plant Production
A trial at INTA’s Trevelin Experimental Camp found that Tirnavia, the longest-cycle hybrid tested, produced the highest whole-plant yield at 22,120 kilograms per hectare. Its dry matter yield was 88% higher than Zeta 125.
Grain yields ranged from 6,000 to 8,850 kilograms per hectare, although researchers found no statistically significant differences among the hybrids.
El Hoyo Results Require Further Testing
Lexow also said: “In the test carried out in the town of El Hoyo, the yields obtained by most of the hybrids were very outstanding, highlighting LS Joalia and Zeta 125 with more than 12,000 kilos per hectare, but it should be mentioned that the experience is only one season, so it is advisable to repeat the tests for longer.”
The results indicate that corn production may also be feasible in the mountain regions of northwest Chubut, although additional seasons of testing are needed.
