New DEKALB® products for the next planting season

July 2017

Monsanto’s research focuses on improving the productivity of farmers, regardless of the size of their enterprise and their food production preferences.

‘Monsanto is very proud of the new DEKALB^® products available for the next planting season. These products are: DKC74-74BR and DKC74-26R; DKC71-44B and DKC71-42; DKC68-58BR and DKC68-56R; DKC62-52BR and DKC64-54BR; and DKC63-53’, says Magda du Toit, Communication Manager, Monsanto South Africa.

The DKC74 range
DKC74-26R and DKC74-74BR are recommended for the eastern and western maize production areas and have excellent yield potential, standability and grain quality.

Cultivar characteristics
The DKC74 range germinates well and the seedling is strong with the plant emerging rapidly. Tillers form during the growing cycle, however, as the cultivar is well adapted to drier conditions, these tillers do not reduce the yield. A leafy hybrid, DKC74-74BR is very suitable for silage. High yield is the outstanding feature of this cultivar. It is a medium grower with agronomic traits that complement the existing DEKALB^® package well. DKC74-26R has glyphosate tolerance with DKC74-74BR containing the YieldGard^® II gene as well.

Strengths of the range
New genetics, good grain quality, good standability, strongly prolific and high yield potential.

Management recommendation

• The hybrid is suitable for a medium to low plant population.

The DK68 range
DKC68-58BR and its family, DKC68-56R and DKC68-58B, have several characteristics adding to its popularity in the yellow maize market in South Africa. The cultivars are recommended in combination with the DKC73-74BR GEN, DKC80-40BR GEN, DKC74-74BR and the DKC71-44B family. These cultivars have an excellent yield potential and grain quality, as well as being prolific. The cultivar is recommended for the eastern and western production areas.

Cultivar characteristics
The DKC68 range germinates very strongly and the plant emerges rapidly. The more rapid drying off of the DKC68 range, as well as in combination with the DKC71 range, place these cultivars in a suitable package for farmers who want to harvest early.

Strengths of the cultivar range
New genetics, dries rapidly, good disease tolerance, prolific and good grain quality.

Management recommendations

• Medium to high plant population with a maximum of 60 000 plants/ha.
• Increases normal plant population with 10%.
• Low ear placement.
• The same fertiliser as for DKC73 range.
• Dries rapidly after the plant reaches physiological maturity.

The DKC71 range
These new cultivars, DKC71-44B and DKC71-42 are recommended in combination with the DKC73-74BR GEN and DKC80-40BR GEN and have an excellent yield potential, standability and grain quality. The cultivar is also suitable for production in the eastern and western areas.

Cultivar characteristics
The DKC71 range germinates very well with strong seedlings. It dries rapidly which places the cultivar in a suitable package for producers who want to harvest early. The plants appear purple during emergence if cold nights occur.

Strengths of the range
New genetics, dries rapidly, good disease tolerance, prolific, good standability, good grain quality, lighter grain colour.

Management recommendations

• Medium to high plant population.
• Increases normal plant population with 10% - 15%.
• Good standability.
• Low ear placing.
• The same fertiliser as for DKC73 range.
• Dries rapidly after the plant reaches physiological maturity.

DKC63-53, DKC65-52BR and DKC64-54BR are ultra-short growing season cultivars that are specifically suitable for full irrigation, with a plant population of approximately 80 000 plants/ha.

Some of the other DEKALB^® hybrids suitable for silage production, are: DKC80-10, DKC80-12B, DKC80-35BR, DKC 66-32B, DKC66-36R and DKC66-60BR, DKC73-72 as well as their biotechnological hybrids, namely DKC 73-70B, DKC 73-73R and DKC 73-74BR.

Keep in mind, in general a good grain maize should also be a good silage maize. Maize silage is very popular as it is considered to be one of the most effective conservation methods for all the nutrients on a maize field.

Furthermore, maize silage has a high energy value, especially when supplemented with maize grain, as well as being easily digestible. Additional benefits of maize silage compared to other stored roughage:

• It reduces fire hazard.
• It is available when other palatable animal feed is scarce.
• It has a long storage life provided it is stored properly.
• It can be used with great success in dairy and finishing rations.

With the planting season around the corner, now is the ideal time to contact your DEKALB^® seed representative or broker to discuss last orders, or to consider new cultivars and seed treatments and how these could fit into your planning for the following season’s planting.

Article submitted by Magda du Toit, Corporate Communication Manager, Monsanto South Africa. For more information, send an email to magda.du.toit@monsanto.com.

Publication: July 2017

Section: Pula/Imvula