Early this morning, you can begin to see the first stages of emergence of the various hybrids in the 2020 First Harvest Farm Management, LLC “Competitive Seed Comparison Plot”. In the photo below, the first part of the plant, called the coleoptile is breaking thru the top of the ground. This stage, called VE Stage is the first official stage of growth, and takes place after approximately 100-120 GDU (Growing Degree Day Units) accumulate. The actual number of GDU’s to achieve emergence, or VE may vary slightly based on soil temperature, moisture availability and planting depth. The 2020 plot was planted April 21st at an average depth of 2″ into readily available moisture. According to a GDU calculator program available at www.nutrien-eKonomics.com the plot reached 125 cumulative GDU’s as of May 3rd, so from a GDU accumulation standpoint, the plot hybrids emerged right about on schedule. We invite you to follow the hybrids from planting through the various vegetative stages, then through tassel and the reproductive stages all the way to maturity around the beginning of September.
Thru today, the plot has received a total of 3.35″ of rain in 2 separate events on April 22nd/23rd, and again on May 3rd/4th. A great start to the plot!