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Corn Hybridization
Improvements in technology, animal husbandry, and
cropping practices all contributed to dramatic increases
in agricultural production during the 20th century.
Corn has been and continues to be produced on more
area than any other U.S. crop, with corn acreage
peaking in 1917 as technological factors began to
make it possible to produce more on less land.
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Yield
per acre of corn for grain used for livestock feed provides
a prime example of this production boom. One factor
related to increases in corn yields was the introduction
of double-cross hybrid seed varieties in the early 1930's.
These hybrid varieties led to improved yields by increasing
the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases.
They were also more adaptable to variable growing conditions
and often aided the harvesting process. In 1935 only
1 percent of the corn crop was seeded with hybrids,
but by 1940 the total was more than 30 percent. Hybrid
seed accounted for 96 percent of the corn acreage by
1960.
Corn yields continued to rise toward the end of the
century, although with a higher degree of variability.
This variability indicates that there are other factors
that have an impact on yields, such as the weather,
irrigation practices, or use of nitrogen fertilizer.
The development of hybrid seed was not limited to
corn. Wheat is another example of a crop for which
hybrid seed was developed to improve the characteristics
of the plant and raise yields. |
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