Abstract
The Seed Hull Maturity Index (SHMI) is a low cost maturity estimation method which has been shown to be correlated to yield and value per hectare using short term studies. To test the relationship of SHMI to yield and value on a long term basis, an equation was developed for deriving SHMI from 9 years of market grade information. Comparison of observed and derived SHMI values produced an R of 0.93. Among the cultivars used only Florigiant, NC6, and NC7 are either major commercial cultivars or cultivars being evaulated commercially. The data from this study confirmed that SHMI optimum values must be determined for each cultivar of interest. SHMI was shown to best estimate value per hectare. The value estimation equations for Florigiant and NC6 are given. The SHMI at which maximum value occurs is 3.0 for Florigiant and 3.1 for NC6. The SHMI at which maximum yield occurs is 2.7 for both cultivars.
Author notes
1Paper Number 8174 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC 27650. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by USDA or the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.