An important hybrid trait that can influence growers' management decisions is the brittle stalk score. Hybrids are rated on a 1 to 9 scale, with 9 indicating least risk of brittle stalk injury and 1 indicating a high risk of brittle stalk injury. The score reflects research and field experiences of a hybrid's tendency and frequency of brittle stalk injury at lower to middle stalk internodes during conditions of rapid or optimum growth. The scores are the combination of data from small plots subjected to artificially induced brittle snap and the observations following severe wind damage in strip trial testing during hybrid advancement. The small-plot brittle snap data provide a relative score in comparison to benchmark hybrids that have a history of a known tendency for injury.
Scores reflect the current assessment of a hybrid's brittle snap tendencies.
During the life cycle of a hybrid, the brittle snap score, as with all agronomic trait scores, may be adjusted up or down on the basis of continuing experiences. Pioneer's goal is to accurately reflect the risk of brittle snap across most experiences. Unfortunately, all hybrids under the right environmental conditions and sufficient wind speeds can suffer brittle snap damage. There are no hybrids completely resistant to brittle snap, just as there are no hybrids resistant to hail, flood or other common weather-related causes of stand loss. The brittle snap score provides a relative indication of risk of injury.