Corn

NaanDanJain is committed to finding the ideal solution for your Corn, tailored to your local climatic conditions, soil and water properties and budget.

Contact our office or your local dealer for further information.

NaanDanJain has many years’ experience with corn irrigation. Modern irrigation can increase the productivity of the crop for higher yields, using less water and fertilizers. Corn is one of the crops that can be used for biofuel production.

The economic considerations of biofuel farming can be justified by adopting advanced irrigation technology. The following information will help you to maximize corn yields

and income.

Maize is a grain that was first grown by the indigenous peoples of Central America in prehistoric times. Today maize is the most widely cultivated crop in the world, followed by rice and wheat.

The United States produces about 50% of the world’s maize harvest; while other top producing countries are India, Brazil, Mexico, France and Argentina.

Maize may be consumed as food or used for the production of flour, starch, oil, biofuel, feed for livestock, etc. Maize is an annual summer crop. It is usually planted at the end of winter and harvested during the summer, although in certain regions it is grown all year round. The crop requires a warm climate and constant, reliable irrigation.

The growing period is 75-80 days when grown for kernels and 110-115 days when grown for silage.

Average yields are dependant on many parameters, such as the maize species, the region in which it is grown, and the timing of planting. Yields may vary from 15 to 25 tons/ha of cobs (10 to 12 tons/ha of kernels). When grown for fodder, yields may reach 20 to 30 tons/ha, as dry matter.

SOIL

Crop rotation must be considered when choosing the location of the field for maize cultivation. Maize can follow any other crop, except maize and sorghum. It is not advisable to cultivate maize on the same plot at intervals of less than 3 years. When maize is cultivated at shorter intervals (e.g. every year), there is a constant need to combat soil diseases and replenish soil minerals. The maize root system is well developed and requires deep, non-compacted soil for proper plant development.

PLANTING

Minimum temperature for germination: 8˚C, emergence after 16-20 days.

Optimum temperature for germination: 20˚C, emergence after 5-6 days.

Desired plant density to achieve maximal yields: 65,000–80,000 plants per hectare.

Plant density should be lowered to 50,000–70,000 plants per hectare when the

growing season extends into the winter. This is done in order to achieve thicker stalks, which are more wind and rain resistant, during the season.

When grown for silage, plant density may be increased to as high as 120,000 plants per hectare. It is common practice to plant two rows of maize on one growing bed. The rows

should be planted 75–100 cm apart. The planting depth should be 3 cm when the soil temperatures are low and 5-6 cm when the temperatures are high.

IRRIGATION

* When corn is grown intensively, it is quite sensitive to any water deficits imposed during vegetative growth. This can be results in a lessened photosynthetic process and reduced root

system.

* Water deficits imposed during silking and tasseling are most detrimental to corn yields. Stresses during reproductive growth often result in increased leaf senescence and a reduction in

both the rate and duration of seed filling.

* Efficient water management is important in order to achieve higher yields.

* Under varying climatic conditions, high and stable corn yields are achieved only through efficient irrigation.

SOIL PROFILE FILLING AND GERMINATION

* Before planting maize, the soil moisture level must be kept at field capacity, up to a depth of 1.2 m.

* A continuous supply of moisture must be maintained along all soil layers during the sprouting and rooting periods. This can be controlled via proper irrigation during these periods.Insufficient irrigation will result in the poor establishment of the seminal & supporting roots system (nodal roots), increasing the probability of plant lying down.

* The maize root system is adversely affected by high soil temperatures, salinity and compactness, low levels of soil moisture and lack of potassium. If these poor conditions are prevalent, the maize yields will eventually be affected.