What are Hybrid Seeds: The Science Behind Superior Crop Performance

What are Hybrid Seeds: The Science Behind Superior Crop Performance

In agricultural production of corn, hybrid seed is the best choice for maximum yield. But what are hybrid seeds, and why are they so much better? In short, it’s genetics.

What Are Hybrid Seeds? Genetic Advantages and Desired Characteristics

Plants such as corn reproduce by transferring genetic material through pollination. Self-pollination occurs when pollen falls on the silk of the same plant. With cross-pollination, the pollen and silk are from two different parent plants. 

If the parent plants are from the same pure-breeding strain, the results are called inbred lines, and seeds produce plants with characteristics identical to those of the parent plants. An inbred line increases the chance for recessive genes to be expressed, a phenomenon called inbreeding depression. This leads to traits such as small plant size or reduced yield. 

However, if the parent plants are not from the same inbred lines and cross-pollination occurs, the result is hybrid seed. Genetic diversity leads some parent traits, such as biomass, growth rate, and yield, to improve beyond what either parent contributed. This convergence of characteristics, known as heterosis or hybrid vigor, results in seeds that produce stronger plants. 

Corn hybrid seed  is commonly produced via three types of cross-pollination:

• Single-cross hybrids from two inbred parents
• Three-way hybrids from one inbred parent and a single-cross hybrid parent
• Double-cross hybrids from two single-cross hybrid parents

Single-cross hybrids produce the most uniform crop and the highest yields. However, the inbred female parent produces fewer seeds, which increases the cost for farmers.

Hybrid Seed Production Process:  The Short Version

More interesting than “What are hybrid seeds?” is “What is the science behind the seed?” Seed breeders target more than just yield. Through advanced genetics, hybrid seed characteristics can include disease and insect resistance, drought, heat, and pH tolerance, as well as more favorable growth and maturity rates. These additional traits help farmers contend with weather and environmental conditions outside of their control.

A key characteristic of quality hybrid seed is consistency. Every seed needs to produce a plant with the specified traits. Crops should be uniform and result in an optimum yield. To ensure that the desired traits are properly passed on, seed producers need to control pollination. The traditional process is straightforward:

• Seed lines with specific characteristics are chosen. 
• Alternating male and female rows are planted. 
• The tassels on the female plants are removed to avoid self-pollination. 
• Once the pollen from the male rows pollinates the silk on the female plants, the male rows are removed or flattened to the ground. 
• Only the female rows produce seed-corn for harvesting. 
• The harvested corn is dried, sorted, conditioned, and tested by the production company. 
• The seed is tested for quality assurance, sold to producers, and grown for commercial purposes such as animal feed, ethanol, and human consumption. 

It is a long and exhaustive process that generates a dependable product to meet the needs of modern farmers and end-users. 

The Importance of Partnering With a Reputable Hybrid Seed Supplier

Red Barn Enterprises is committed to data-driven decision-making and believes sound decisions are built on quality and trust. They partner with Remington Seeds, one of the largest and well-respected global seed producers. Remington Seeds balances established production techniques with cutting-edge technology to produce high-quality seed solutions used in the Midwest and internationally.

However, before Red Barn Enterprises recommends a hybrid seed, they perform additional testing at the local level and evaluate the data to find the best hybrids for their customers’ specific needs. Using several plant populations, Red Barn Enterprises plants their own test plots to collect data on how the seed performs in the type of conditions local farmers are familiar with. 

From partnering with top-tier seed producers to their final testing, Red Barn Enterprises is able to tailor hybrid portfolios that result in healthier plants and better yields.

Want to hear what it’s like to work with us? 

Getting Started With Red Barn Enterprises

Ready to experience the benefits of superior quality hybrid seeds tailored to your farming needs? At Red Barn Enterprises, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality seeds that deliver exceptional performance. Don’t miss out on optimizing your crop yield with our tested and trusted solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our hybrid seeds and how we can help you achieve the best results for your agricultural projects. Whether you’re looking to start small or expand your existing operations, we’re here to support you every step of the way.