What is Thousand kernel weight?
Even within one variety, thousand kernel weight varies with growing conditions, especially water and temperature during grain fill. Large, well-filled kernels give a higher thousand kernel weight.
For seed lots, thousand kernel weight is used together with germination rate and target plant count to calculate how much seed to sow: reaching the same plant count takes more kilograms of seed from a large-kernelled lot.
Why does it matter when choosing seed?
Grain yield is the product of ears per area, kernels per ear and kernel weight. Thousand kernel weight measures one of these components and helps compare varieties on their ability to fill grain.
CasSeed varieties related to this topic
The relevant characteristics are listed on each variety’s technical sheet.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A late-maturity grain hybrid with fast dry-down and outstanding standability.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
A flinty red-grained hybrid with high protein and complete tip fill.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A widely adapted grain hybrid with high test weight, suited to wider spacing.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
Complete tip fill, high test weight and a hybrid that rewards denser planting.
FAO 650 · CRM 117 · Grain and silage maize seed
Broad ears and a strong stalk — a mid-late hybrid for both grain and silage.
FAO 500–550 · Hybrid maize seed
Early, drought-tolerant and widely adaptable — the leader of its maturity group.
FAO 650–700 · Silage maize seed
265–300 cm plant height and 9–10 t/da silage yield; also suited to starch and feed industries.
Related terms
Test weight (hectolitre weight)
Test weight, or hectolitre weight, is the weight in kilograms of grain filling a 100-litre volume (kg/hl) and indicates grain density.
Kernel row number and kernels per row
Kernel row number is the count of kernel rows around the ear; kernels per row is the number of kernels in one row from the base to the tip.
Plant density
Plant density is the number of plants growing per unit area, usually expressed as plants per decare or plants per hectare.