Working harder for biogas production

Bayer introduces DKC2742, a high-output maize variety optimized for anaerobic digestion, featuring fast establishment, high energy, and excellent resistance.

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As with any crop in the rotation, variety selection is pivotal in achieving success for both the grower and the desired end market.

This couldn’t be more the case for maize – a crop which at times has received criticism due to historical soil health and environmental concerns. However, with knowledge about the crop and its management fast improving, and on-farm benefits continuing to stack up, growers are increasingly understanding the importance of being strategic with variety choice.

For those targeting the growing anaerobic digestion (AD) sector, maize is regarded the number one feedstock for biogas yield. Key to achieving this are varieties that focus on dry matter yield, high metabolisable energy (ME) and good cell wall digestibility, explains Bayer’s Richard Williams.

And now, these factors all come together in a new high-output maincrop maize variety from Bayer – DKC2742. “At FAO 190, this sits perfectly in scope for biogas production; high yielding and producing plenty of bulk,” says Richard.

Speedy establishment

Backed by DEKALB’s global maize breeding expertise, among DKC2742’s key characteristics are its establishment speed, he adds. “It’s very vigorous and tends to rocket out of the ground across all sites, whether that’s early or late drilled.

“Once established, it develops large flat green leaves which we’ve coined ‘stay-green technology’. What this means for the crop is more light interception and photosynthetic activity, while also offering better weed suppression under the canopy.”

This translates to compact, starchy cobs with high dry matter yields and therefore optimum biogas production once processed, continues Richard. “But, the stand-out has to be DKC2742’s ME numbers which are exceptional per hectare. Cell wall digestibility is also one of its strengths so not only does this variety fill the clamp, but it powers the AD plant too with high gas output.”

Staying strong

Despite its vigorous growth, thanks to strong resistance to root lodging and brackling,DKC2742 remains upright all the way through to harvest. This is supported by other agronomic benefits such as robust eyespot and fusarium resistance, points out Richard.

“The variety also has Bayer’s Field Shield technology that provides tolerance to abiotic stress, which will become increasingly useful during the unpreditable seasons we’ve been experiencing recently in the UK.

“With such a strong package of traits, DKC2742 should prove a reasonably easy crop to manage – growers really can let it do its thing. Then it’s a case of taking it off promptly and making the most of the impressively high yields,” he concludes.

For more information about DKC2742, which is on the maize Descriptive List, visit https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/our-products/maize/dkc2742