Global Maize Project in the United States: Virginia

Four individual trials were conducted as part of the Global Maize study near New Kent, Virginia in the summer of 2015. The main study compared the mid-Atlantic farmer standard practices for corn production to a suite of practices identified as the “Ecological Intensification” (EI) treatment. Corn was planted into recently killed wooly pod vetch cover crop, which had been established in the fall by aerially seeding 25 lb/A into standing soybeans. An estimated 70% vetch stand was achieved. Standard agronomic production practices (tillage, hybrid selection, and pesticide management) were common to both treatments. Differing variables between the treatments included variable rate seed population and split N applications for the EI treatment. The EI also received sidedress and foliar applications of Big soy 100, a 91.5% glucose derived from starch hydroslate, and Big bio yield, a 20% plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (three strains of bacillus) and 80% glucose-based culture medium, respectively.

The 2015 season was very favorable for corn production and Virginia set a record statewide average corn yield. Grain yields in the study were over 240 bu/A for both treatments which is extraordinary for the region. At a 5% significance level, no statistical difference was detected, but when considered at 10%, grain yield for the EI treatment was found to be greater than the mid-Atlantic standard.