Innovative research unveils correlation between root architecture and impact on yields, stress response and nitrogen utilization.

Beck’s Hybrids has pioneered a unique protocol for growing single corn plants in root boxes to study the root architecture of its hybrids, with the goal to provide farmers with better recommendations on hybrid selection and crop management.

The company’s Root Reveal research is the first of its kind, delving deeply into how roots grow and how the structure — whether horizontal, balanced or vertical — affects yields, fertilizer uptake, plant population recommendations, and hybrid performance.

Jim Schwartz, director of re­search, agronomy and Practical Farm Research (PFR) at Beck’s, explained that every industry operates on a set of prevailing assumptions and in the seed industry these guide how corn products are described and...