Performance and the pursuit of continuous improvement are part of human nature. Every year, athletics and swimming records are broken. The Springboks have become back-to-back world champions, and South Africa currently also holds the ICC World Test Championship title.
In science and technology, humanity likewise continues to push boundaries, often raising the question: “Where do we draw the line? Where does it all end?”
This is where Pioneer, through vision, innovation, collaboration and ethics, keeps its focus not merely on the finish line, but on sustained and purposeful genetic advancement in support of food security – a driving force that improves the quality of life of producers, consumers and society.
Against this backdrop, I would like to introduce a new white maize cultivar for dryland production: P28022WPW. This is a product that cannot be defined by a finish line, but one that demonstrates the potential for sustainability, adaptability, exceptional yields and financial success.
Cultivar selection is an important decision based on several characteristics, including yield potential, prolificacy, productive tillers, standability, ear height and disease tolerance. Adaptability to variable temperature and rainfall conditions is equally important. Differences in soil type, as well as population recommendations, are essential considerations when evaluating a new genetic platform.
Multi-year evaluations of P28022WPW have shown that this new genetic platform meets these requirements. It is with great excitement that this product, equipped with PowerCore® technology, is added to Pioneer’s white maize portfolio for the western production region. PowerCore® technology protects against the maize stalk borer and fits perfectly into production systems where Roundup is used.
Figure 1: P28022WPW standardised to zero in terms of kg/ha difference relative to other cultivars.
The black line in Figure 1 above represents P28022WPW, standardised at zero in terms of kg/ha difference relative to other cultivars.
Multi-year data from the western production region indicate that P28022WPW is a new product that raises the yield ceiling. Across 32 localities, it outperformed P2565WPW by an average of 438 kg/ha. P28022WPW also exceeded P2885WPW by 898 kg/ha across 52 localities. This performance reflects the significant genetic progress achieved through the white maize breeding programme for the western production region.
The extent to which P28022WPW outperforms strong competing cultivars further emphasises this progress. It exceeded Competitor A and Competitor B by 229 kg/ha (37 localities) and 287 kg/ha (38 localities), respectively. Surpassing leading commercial products C and D by 871 kg/ha (56 localities) and 446 kg/ha (55 localities), respectively, is particularly noteworthy. Excellent grain quality and strong standability are characteristics that distinguish P28022WPW.
P2565WPW, P2885WPW and now P28022WPW therefore provide three Pioneer white maize cultivars that can be utilised as companion products in the western region. Together, they provide adaptability, stability and risk diversification in a single package – essential in an increasingly unpredictable climate and offering valuable peace of mind to producers.
P28022WPW has a prolificacy index of 1,72. Ears are relatively uniform in size and develop evenly. The cultivar does not produce significant tillering. Instead, its strong prolificacy expression is carried primarily on the main stem. Excellent grain quality and standability have been consistently observed.
Early seedling growth is strong and rapid, resulting in uniform emergence and providing the best possible foundation for yield potential.
Plants are approximately 2,1 m tall, with ears positioned at about 51% of plant height. With an average ear height of 1,09 m, this cultivar is easy to harvest.
Recommended plant populations range from 25 000 to 32 000 plants per hectare, depending on production potential and prevailing conditions. The genetics perform well across all soil types, and any row configuration (0,9 m, 1,5 m or 0,76 m) is acceptable.
P28022WPW is therefore a cultivar that provides answers for reducing risk while delivering outstanding yield competitiveness. Its stability, adaptability and compensatory ability are key attributes that make this genetic platform a highly favourable recommendation. Combined with its excellent agronomic characteristics, P28022WPW should form part of any white maize cultivar package used for dryland production in the western production region.
