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Points of attention for a good start of maize cultivation
Now that the moment to sow maize is slowly but surely coming up again, it is time to pay attention to cultivation in spring and summer. Good crop management pays off, if the weather conditions cooperate, in the form of a good yield and quality.
The following points for attention help to further optimize cultivation during these seasons.
1. Prevent potential yield loss and quality problems by fertilizing with potassium
A good potassium supply reduces, among other things, the sensitivity to alloying and dryness and is important for good cob formation. As a result of the manure legislation, fertilization with organic manure and thus also the supply of potassium has decreased. In addition, the potassium levels in the manure have also decreased. Based on a fertilization balance for maize, it can therefore quickly be concluded that potassium is the weak link in the 'nutrient chain' and that this must therefore be supplemented. In what form, quantity and whether further trace elements should be added, depends on the advice based on the soil and manure analysis. It is best to apply the potassium shortly before until shortly after sowing.
2. A good seedbed ensures faster heating and germination
Proper seedbed preparation is essential for rapid initial development. A seedbed preparation can only start when the soil is 'competent'. That is to say: making a good seedbed is not at the expense of the structure of the soil. Again, patience and good organization/planning of the tillage work can prevent a lot of problems during the growing period. A good seedbed ensures good water and air management and stimulates rapid heating of the sowing horizon. This promotes a smooth germination of the seed and a good initial development of the young plant. This sowing horizon should be laid loose and crumbly and the substrate without compaction.
3. Do not sow too early and not too late
If the maize is sown too early, there is a risk of poor and slow germination due to the too cold soil and/or the risk of damage due to night frost at the beginning of May. Sowing too late simply results in a shorter growing season and the risk of poor ripening and quality problems. The best sowing time is between April 20 and May 10 and at a soil temperature of 10 degrees. If late sowing, for example when sowing after grass, is a conscious choice, adjust the choice of variety accordingly. It is then better to opt for very early to early varieties, instead of mid-early maize varieties.
4. Pay attention to the correct sowing depth and sowing distance
It is important to check the seed depth and spacing in the row when sowing. On the heavier clay/loam soil and with a fine seed bed, a sowing depth of 3-4 centimeters should be aimed for. Preferably not much deeper because of the slower heating of the sowing horizon with deeper sowing. Because on lighter (sand/loess) soil this sowing depth gives too great a risk of drying out and poorer anchoring in the soil, 5-6 centimeters should be maintained as sowing depth on such soil.
The sowing distance in the row between two seeds depends on the early maturity class (FAO) in which the variety to be sown falls. This applies to sowing maize at a distance of 75 centimeters between two rows, which is still the most common practice at the moment. For use as grain maize, 5.000 fewer seeds per hectare may be sown.
5. Always use a row fertilizer, also on derogation farms
It makes sense to use a row fertilizer when sowing maize to promote early development. Nitrogen from a row fertilizer applied in the row works between 1,25 and 1,5 times better than with a full field application. With phosphate, the efficiency is even double compared to wide-open. In the Netherlands, the use of artificial fertilizer phosphate, including phosphate in row fertilizers, is not permitted on derogation farms. There are various formulations and forms (solid, liquid, fine granules, and with or without a coating) on the market for a tailor-made fertilizer tailored to the specific situation. Formulations with additives are also available that can improve the absorption of the phosphate present in the soil.
6. Check field emergence
The field emergence (emergence of all sown grains) is easy to check by randomly fitting 13,3 meters in a row at a number of places in the sown field, counting the number of plants over this distance and multiplying this by 1.000. The loss of plants and/or seeds that have not germinated should not be a problem as long as it is a 'regular irregularity'. The image in which a plant is missing here and there. You should not switch to overseeding or overseeding too quickly because this entails extra costs and it is not said that this will be earned back through a higher yield and/or better quality.
If in doubt about field emergence, consult your regional KWS advisor.
