Dr. Alan Blaine, extension agronomist at Mississippi State University, said before the trials began more than 30 years ago, farmers had trouble getting accurate information on seed varieties. We expect to plant 2 million acres of soybeans in the state this year. Commercial seed companies can enter more than one variety of seed and select from different testing areas. We have gotten some very positive feedback and the biggest question being when are all of the 1995 trials going to be on the Web. Dr. Steve Calhoun, associate agronomist at the Delta Branch Experiment Station in Stoneville, said Mississippi farmers aren't the only ones putting seed trial information to use, especially when it comes to cotton.
Information is used across the nation and internationally by India and Turkey.
Calhoun added that of the 1.3 million acres of cotton planted last year in Mississippi, the majority is Delta Pine 50, Delta Pine 20 or Delta Pine 51 variety. Before seed trials, growers would use one type of seed variety across the state. Choosing the correct seed variety for a maximum crop yield is a goal of every farmer. Different varieties can be more or less adaptable to different soils. Watson added that since around 1918, private industries and seed companies have done most of the seed testing in the United States.