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Becknology Days sets focus on Root Reveal

Understanding what happens underneath the soil of a corn plant is just as important as what happens above it.

Jim Schwartz with Beck’s Hybrids says the goal is to get the most out of the crop.

“Really what we’re trying to understand is how does root architecture impact some of the management decisions that a farmer might make on his farm, for instance, things like population stress management and or nitrogen placement and timing,” he says.

He tells Brownfield research is geared toward improving overall performance in the field.

“The first thing we found is that there are indeed dramatic differences, especially as it relates to root angle, surface area and mass,” he says. “The second thing we found is that we definitely have seen initial differences in how those hybrids respond differently to increasing populations.”

Brownfield interviewed Schwartz during the first day of Becknology Days.

AUDIO: Jim Schwartz, Beck’s Hybrids