Not all corn hybrids have the same reaction to crop input applications. With response-to scores, you can better predict what kind of benefit you’ll see from investing in certain applications.

A response-to score is a characteristic rating of a corn hybrid indicating how it responds to a given management practice, according to randomized, replicated Answer Plot^® research trials. Every CROPLAN^® corn hybrid – as well as hybrids from many of our partner brands – has a response-to rating for both nitrogen (N) and fungicide. This scoring system is unique to WinField United as it’s based on our very own Answer Plot trials and robust analysis methods. Response-to scores are valuable tools that can help inform both seed selection and management decisions.

There are three possible response-to scores: high, moderate and low.
 

Nitrogen and fungicide are critical inputs for optimizing your production and return on investment (ROI). Not all hybrids need to be managed the same, so matching hybrid selection to management style and farm environment can help allocate resources to optimize yield potential. High response-to nitrogen (RTN) and response-to fungicide (RTF) hybrids can bring larger yield potential when the environment and management support them. Here are some practical ways you can use response-to scores to your advantage.

Response-to Population (RTP)

Some hybrids respond more favorably to being planted at high populations than others. For example, if you have a field with good tile drainage, adequate fertility and you have the capability to maximize yield by pushing populations, planting a hybrid that tolerates high populations could give you a larger yield potential response and more plants per acre.

If you have another farm with lower fertility levels, sandier or rockier soil that’s droughty and often faced with stress through the pollination and grain-fill period in the summer you’d want to plant a lower response-to population hybrid. This allows you to maintain yield at low populations and in a low-yield environment. But, if you do get decent rains in the summer, even a hybrid planted at a lower population could flex some in ear length and also increase kernel weight, thus adding yield potential.

Response-to Nitrogen

With high fertility prices, RTN scores can be a great tool to turn to this year. If you’re planting a high-RTN hybrid, make sure you prioritize your N investment, applying in-season N or topdressing those hybrids first. If you put all your N on prior to or at planting, you might assume that’s enough for the year. However, if you have above-average rainfall during May and June, and you do a pre-side dress nitrate test or take a tissue sample that indicates you’re low on N, make sure you’re applying additional N in-season on your high RTN hybrids first.
 
But again, if you’re planting on lower yield potential or marginal soils with low natural fertility and low organic matter that doesn’t supply as much N naturally through mineralization, selecting a low-RTN hybrid is generally a better choice.

In 2025, we field tested hybrids at our Answer Plot locations for response to scores. For our RTN scores, we saw an average yield increase of 80.5 bu/A¹ compared to planting the same hybrid under limited nitrogen conditions. Without proper N management or knowing your hybrid’s RTN scores, those are bushels you could be leaving in the field. 

Response-to Fungicide (RTF)

When deciding which acres to make a fungicide application and which products to use, RTF scores can help you make tailored, hybrid-specific choices based on years of reliable yield data. Many different fungicides are sprayed each year at Answer Plot locations to evaluate their performance. Hybrids with high RTF scores respond greatly to a fungicide application, which means you’re likely to see a satisfactory return if you treat those acres, and it’s a good idea to invest in a premium product. Those with low- to medium-RTF scores will likely result in a smaller yield advantage, so you can get away with a lower-cost option.

Once you’ve decided to make an application and have chosen your product, it’s important to ensure the spray droplet will reach the target and get the job done. MasterLock^® adjuvant is a drift and deposition aid that’s been proven to increase corn yields by an average of 5.7 bushels/acre when tank mixed with a fungicide, compared to using a fungicide alone.² Especially when making aerial applications, it’s critical to do everything possible to get the spray throughout the entire canopy as some diseases start in the lower canopy and move upward on the plant tissue.

Take advantage of response-to data

We invest a substantial amount of time, energy and resources into testing for and determining response-to scores. We take pride in the quality of our data, how it’s collected and analyzed and that we represent a large portion of the seed industry by testing multiple brands. Use this data to help you be an even better farmer and improve your yield and ROI potential. We invite you to come and see our data in action this summer at an Answer Plot event near you.

Response-to scores are available for hybrids in the CROPLAN Seed Guide and on their product page on CROPLAN.com. You can also contact your CROPLAN local retail seed expert for the latest response-to data. for the latest response-to data.

<sub>1 2025 Answer Plot data.
2 WinField United. 14 studies, eight states, all fungicides. 2012-2017. 
  
All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission. 

© 2026 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Answer Plot, CROPLAN, MasterLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.</sub>