Agricultural technology for growing corn seeds
Corn is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Poaceae family. Corn is a valuable crop that is used as food as grain and as animal feed.
Corn is grown in all climate zones, but it grows best in regions with warm and humid climates.
1. Variety selection
When choosing a corn variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation. Varieties with large grains are selected for food consumption, and varieties with small grains are selected for animal feed.
- Maturing period. Corn can be early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening. Early-ripening varieties of corn are ready for harvesting 60-70 days after sowing, mid-ripening - after 70-80 days, late-ripening - after 80-90 days.
- Resistance to diseases and pests. When choosing a corn variety, preference should be given to varieties that are resistant to the most common diseases and pests.
2. Soil preparation
Corn is a soil-demanding crop, so to grow it it is necessary to prepare fertile, loose and neutral soil. In autumn, the site is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and organic fertilizers (manure, compost, humus) are applied at the rate of 5-6 kg per 1 m². In spring, the soil is leveled and furrows 5-6 cm deep are made.
3. Sowing seeds
Corn seeds are sown in spring, when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches +10-12 °C.
2-3 seeds are sown in each furrow at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. After germination, one of the strongest plants is left.
4. Plant care
Corn is a moisture-loving crop, so it needs to be watered regularly. Water the plants 2-3 times a week, using 10-15 liters of water per 1 m².
During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
The following fertilizers are used for fertilizing:
- Nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea) - promote the growth of leaves and stems.
- Phosphorus fertilizers (superphosphate, double superphosphate) - promote the development of the root system and flowering.
- Potassium fertilizers (potassium chloride, potassium magnesium) - promote fruit development.
Weeding is carried out to control weeds. To protect plants from pests and diseases, plants are sprayed with special preparations.
5. Harvest
Corn is ready for harvesting when the grains are fully ripe and acquire their characteristic color. Early-ripening varieties of corn are harvested in July, mid-ripening in August, late-ripening in September.
Corn kernels are cut with scissors or a sickle. Store grains in a cool, dry place.
Some tips for growing corn
- To obtain an earlier harvest, corn can be grown as seedlings. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in open ground in late May - early June, when the threat of frost has passed.
- To increase the yield of corn, it can be grown on a compost heap. The compost heap warms up faster than the soil, so seeds can be sown as early as early May.
- To protect corn from pests and diseases, it can be planted next to marigolds, calendula or nasturtium. These plants repel insect pests.
If you follow the agricultural techniques for growing corn, you can get a good harvest of this valuable crop.
Corn is grown in all climate zones, but it grows best in regions with warm and humid climates.
1. Variety selection
When choosing a corn variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation. Varieties with large grains are selected for food consumption, and varieties with small grains are selected for animal feed.
- Maturing period. Corn can be early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening. Early-ripening varieties of corn are ready for harvesting 60-70 days after sowing, mid-ripening - after 70-80 days, late-ripening - after 80-90 days.
- Resistance to diseases and pests. When choosing a corn variety, preference should be given to varieties that are resistant to the most common diseases and pests.
2. Soil preparation
Corn is a soil-demanding crop, so to grow it it is necessary to prepare fertile, loose and neutral soil. In autumn, the site is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and organic fertilizers (manure, compost, humus) are applied at the rate of 5-6 kg per 1 m². In spring, the soil is leveled and furrows 5-6 cm deep are made.
3. Sowing seeds
Corn seeds are sown in spring, when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches +10-12 °C.
2-3 seeds are sown in each furrow at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. After germination, one of the strongest plants is left.
4. Plant care
Corn is a moisture-loving crop, so it needs to be watered regularly. Water the plants 2-3 times a week, using 10-15 liters of water per 1 m².
During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
The following fertilizers are used for fertilizing:
- Nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea) - promote the growth of leaves and stems.
- Phosphorus fertilizers (superphosphate, double superphosphate) - promote the development of the root system and flowering.
- Potassium fertilizers (potassium chloride, potassium magnesium) - promote fruit development.
Weeding is carried out to control weeds. To protect plants from pests and diseases, plants are sprayed with special preparations.
5. Harvest
Corn is ready for harvesting when the grains are fully ripe and acquire their characteristic color. Early-ripening varieties of corn are harvested in July, mid-ripening in August, late-ripening in September.
Corn kernels are cut with scissors or a sickle. Store grains in a cool, dry place.
Some tips for growing corn
- To obtain an earlier harvest, corn can be grown as seedlings. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in open ground in late May - early June, when the threat of frost has passed.
- To increase the yield of corn, it can be grown on a compost heap. The compost heap warms up faster than the soil, so seeds can be sown as early as early May.
- To protect corn from pests and diseases, it can be planted next to marigolds, calendula or nasturtium. These plants repel insect pests.
If you follow the agricultural techniques for growing corn, you can get a good harvest of this valuable crop.