Description and characteristics of the most productive varieties and hybrids of corn


The best varieties of corn

The culture is valued not only for its pleasant taste, but also for its rich composition. Cobs contain fats, proteins, microelements, and vitamins.

In Russia, cereals began to be grown after the war with Turkey, and were considered a type of wheat. The roots of the annual crop consist of several tiers; cobs are formed instead of inflorescences; large leaves reach a meter in length. The cereal loves the sun, feels good at air temperatures above +20 ° C, is not afraid of drought, and freezes at zero.

Under favorable conditions, different types of corn are cultivated, among which sugar varieties are especially popular. They are grown even in the middle zone, where summer ends quickly and does not please with a large number of sunny days and warmth. The seeds contain almost no starch; the grains have a sweet and delicate taste.

The best varieties of corn include those varieties of crops that:

  • adapted to natural disasters;
  • have high immunity;
  • give a good harvest.

The growing season of the plant lasts several months. A ripe ear of cereal weighs 300–500 grams. The grains, the number of which can reach thousands, depending on the type, are red, yellow or purple.

In Russia, several varieties of corn take root well, which can be planted not only in fields, but also in dachas and vegetable gardens. Dobrynya ripens quickly, the stem rises in height by 1.6–1.7 m.

The culture is undemanding to the soil and is practically not affected;

  • mosaic;
  • rust;
  • fusarium wilt.

The Lakomka-121 variety is valued for its resistance to disease and for its thick ears that ripen juicy grains that are suitable for preservation. This corn ripens 10 weeks after sowing. One fruit weighs from 180 to 250 g.

In the southern regions, the early variety of cereal Spirit is cultivated; in the middle zone it is grown through seedlings. On cobs 20 cm long, sweet and tender grains of yellow color ripen. The grain is not afraid:

  • rot;
  • viruses;
  • fungi.

Gardeners adore the fruitful crop Ice nectar for its significant sugar content. On a bush about 1.8 m high, cobs with cream-colored grains ripen.

Early Golden corn is sown for conservation. It ripens in 3 months. A short plant rarely gets sick because it has a strong immune system.

Sundance is an early variety. Ears with a diameter of more than 5 cm begin to be picked 2.5 months after planting. Cereal grains, which are distinguished by their elongated shape and sweetish taste, are boiled and canned.

Sweet corn varieties

Some vegetable growers do not know that there are special improved varieties of sugar maize. They differ from feed grains in their excellent taste, increased sweetness of grains and lower percentage of starch. Sweet corn has a short growing season and is varied in height (high two meters, medium one and a half meters, low), number of grains, and ripening time. Most species are hybrids (seeds cannot be used for sowing). They are used by people for food and preparations for the winter. Suitable for freezing and making syrups, which are widely used in cooking. Among more than 500 varieties, experienced gardeners recommend the best.

Spirit

The earliest hybrid variety. Bred in Holland. Suitable for cultivation in most regions. The crop is tall, with large ears. Large, sweet, attractive yellow grains with soft skin. In the full ripeness phase, the percentage of starch is slightly increased (for sweet varieties), the sugar level is standard. Tolerant of various care conditions. It is possible to grow under film, in seedlings.

Dobrynya

An unpretentious, very sweet, early-ripening hybrid (70 days) resistant to most diseases. Tall variety with large ears. There are 1.5 full-sized forks on the stem. Can be grown in a variety of soils. Optimal for production for sale or canning. Dobrynya was bred in America.

Gourmet 121

An early-ripening, productive variety with increased disease resistance. The height is average, the cobs are large, juicy and sweet. The grains are yellow in color, large, oblong. Does not tolerate spring frosts well. It is possible to grow the crop through seedlings. Used for food and preparations for the winter.

Ice Nectar

Late sugary (sweetest) variety with whitish grains. Tall with large ears. You can eat not only boiled cobs, but also fresh ones.

Sundance (sun dance)

Extra early yellow hybrid (2 months) with large cobs. Strong, medium-growing variety. Produces up to two ears per stem. Has increased resistance. Successfully frozen and canned. Demanding on warmth. It is possible to plant the plant on the site after the harvest of early vegetables.

Early Golden 401

An early ripening plant, small, with full ears. The grains are yellow in color, oblong. Used for food and household preparations.

Corn - varieties and hybrids

Grain culture has a long history. The oldest remains of cobs, discovered in 2 Mexican states, grew almost 5 thousand years ago. During this time, different subspecies of cereals appeared. Corn hybrids obtained by crossing varieties are characterized by high yield and resistance to pests and diseases.

The largest and most common subgroup of the plant is the sugar plant. Huge agricultural areas are occupied by the “Queen of the Fields” plantings. The grains of this crop contain little starch, but a lot of saccharides.

Denting corn is represented by late-ripening varieties. The annual plant cannot boast of dense greenery, but it has cobs of considerable size. The grains are sent to mills, where they are processed into flour and cereals.

Siliceous varieties of cereal can be found in summer cottages in Ukraine and Moldova, in the southern regions of Russia. It is used in livestock farming and the food industry. It is believed that the cob of this particular corn was brought to Europe by Columbus's sailors. The culture is distinguished by early ripening and high starch content.

Pioneer, a high-yielding variety, has taken root in Russia; the very first ears ripen in 100 days. The grain is used to feed livestock and is harvested for silage.

Waxy corn is grown in East Asia, cultivated in only a few countries, and is popular in China. The grains are distinguished by a durable shell consisting of 2 layers.

Starchy maize is planted throughout Latin and North America. The cereal is distinguished by its huge and dense leaves. The cobs go to production:

  • ethyl alcohol;
  • molasses;
  • flour;
  • starch.

Popping corn is grown in dachas and suburban areas, and farmers cultivate it in the fields. Children love puffed cereal; when heated, the grains are used to make popcorn. This type of cereal is rich in proteins.

In cooking and in the food industry, hybrids are used that are obtained by crossing Indian and toothed varieties.

Hulled corn is not cultivated in any country, and it is almost never used as animal feed. Starchy-sugar hybrids also have not gained much popularity.

Sweet and popping corn - the best varieties of Russian and foreign selection

Do you love to eat extremely tasty and sugary cobs? Choose!

  1. Corn Dobrynya. One of the best sugar species, it is not picky about growing conditions, but, like all other plants, it loves a lot of moisture. The yield is low, reaching 40-50 kg/acre, but the fruits have a very good taste and high sugar content. The grains are small, have a very thin skin, so after cooking you can feel a delicate taste, they burst with little physical effort. Often used for preservation, it is one of the most famous products that are exported abroad.
  2. Excellent. A hybrid of Russian selection, it is perfectly acclimatized in mid-latitudes, but a prerequisite for obtaining a good harvest is abundant watering. If the top layer of soil often dries out, then there is nothing to count on more than 40 centners per hectare. Heads of cabbage reach 28-30 centimeters in length and up to 6 cm in diameter. As for resistance to pests and diseases, the variety is capricious; proper treatment with pesticides and fungicides is necessary. But the effort will more than pay off when you get a large harvest of delicious cobs.
  3. Dneprovskaya 925. One of the best for growing popcorn. The yield of finished products is at least 75% with proper processing and storage. The plant loves moisture; if there is a lack of it, the cobs become very small and hard. Standard grain moisture is 8-9%. The yield is up to 60-70 kg/acre, which is quite good, considering the specification of the variety.
  4. Oerlikon. Included in the state register of popping corn varieties recommended for growing. Its main difference is the increased volume of seeds in finished form after heat treatment. The popcorn comes out large and elastic, has very good taste and a characteristic smell, which appeals to many gourmets and simply lovers of delicious desserts. The weight of 1000 seeds is relatively large - 285-295 grams. The sugar content is up to 13%, which is not even typical for popping corn.
  5. Voronezhskaya 80-A. An early-ripening hybrid of sweet corn, bred at the Voronezh breeding site. Today it is grown in almost all regions of the country and is very popular for canning and exporting abroad. It has specific taste qualities, a light fruity taste and a high sugar consistency (up to 14%). The yield reaches 45-50 c/ha, which is quite a lot even for a sugar variety.

The sugar content in cobs primarily depends on the growing conditions, since if there is a lack of water and sun, the plant will not accumulate the required amount. If you want to get really sweet fruits, you need to ensure constant moisture in the top layer of soil, as well as use organic and nitrogen fertilizers.

Early corn

In regions where summers are hot and long, grain crops grow well and always ripen. Any type of cereal can be sown in the southern regions on an industrial scale. In a short period of time, the ears of early varieties of corn ripen. In mid-latitudes, hybrids bred through selection feel normal. They are sown by seeds and are suitable for growing in seedlings.

Trophy F1 is distinguished by its rapid ripening and high yield. The variety produces its first ripe cob weighing about 200 grams on the 76th day. The fruit reaches a diameter of 45 mm. The sweetish grains have a golden color and are eaten boiled and canned.

For cultivation in the Urals, in the Central Black Earth regions, breeders developed the hybrid Ladozhsky 191. Corn ripens in 113 days. On average, farmers harvest 120 centners of grain from 1 hectare, and about half a ton of green mass.

Tall bushes tolerate cold weather well, are resistant to drought, and are not affected by:

  • bacterial rot;
  • fusarium;
  • stem borer;
  • bubble smut.

In the North Caucasus, Lower Volga region, and central regions, the hybrid Ladoga 250 MV is cultivated. Corn of this variety grows to a height of almost 3 meters. The grains on the cob are arranged in rows, the number of which reaches 16. Farmers begin harvesting the crop on the 105th day after sowing in open ground. The hybrid is not afraid of drought, does not suffer from insect attacks, and rarely gets sick.

See also

Names of the 7 best varieties of corn for popcorn, growing features

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Early varieties of cereals are used in cooking, the food industry, and livestock breeding. Landmark F1 corn has a very short growing season, can be stored for a long time, and has sweet grains of bright yellow color.

The Jubilee F1 hybrid is not infected by bacteria and viruses. The plant, whose stems reach 2.5 m, pleases with a stable harvest. On the cobs, in rows, and their number is 18, round grains are formed, covered with a thin shell.

Biological features of the species

Before you start growing a new crop on your plot, it is worth studying its biological characteristics in order to better understand the preferences of the plant. Corn is a tall cereal crop that forms a deeply penetrating root system. It belongs to heat- and light-loving plants.

Sowing should be carried out in soil heated to 10-12 ºC. The growing season from germination to milky-wax ripeness, depending on the variety, is 70-120 days. In private gardening, early ripening varieties are grown.

The cobs are collected when the top fibers darken. If you unfold such an ear, the grains will be yellow and plump, but still quite soft, and when pressed with a fingernail, juice will be released. It is better to harvest the crop in several stages to prevent the grains from overripening. Overripe cobs remain tough after cooking and lose their taste. Picked cobs cannot be stored for long periods of time (no more than 2 days at room temperature and no more than 20 days at zero), but they can be canned and frozen.

Mid-season varieties of sweet corn

Cultivation of early hybrids is common in regions where summer does not have a large number of sunny days and ends by August. Medium-ripening corn grows well in arid climates and can survive without moisture for a long time. The product does not lose its taste even after heat treatment.

The Maksalia corn hybrid has a low stem on which curved leaves are located. In the North Caucasus and Krasnodar Territory, from 50 to 80 centners of crops are harvested per hectare. The growing season of the plant lasts about 100 days. The hybrid suffers from the invasion of stem moths, but is resistant to viruses and bacteria that cause diseases in cereals. Maxalia refers to varieties of corn for grain.

It is grown both through seedlings and with Sweetstar F1 seeds, the height of the stems exceeds 2 meters. The cobs, about 6 cm in diameter, ripen golden grains with an excellent sweet taste. The hybrid has good immunity and is pleased with its productivity.

Mermaid corn ripens 3 months after sowing. The variety is not afraid of disease and drought, and the weight of one cob is more than 250 grams. Lemon-colored grains do not lose their taste after heat treatment.

The short hybrid Favorite develops well on fertile black soils. The yield per hectare exceeds 55 centners. Pearl corn ripens in 11 weeks and surprises with 2 dozen rows on the cob. Juicy grains are boiled and canned.

2 months after sowing, bright yellow Lingonberry seeds ripen in the ground. Corn is planted in batches so that young, dense ears can be collected in the fall.

Rules for planting corn

Corn is a specific plant. On the one hand, it is drought-resistant and unpretentious, and on the other hand, its agricultural technology has many subtleties. Many problems with growing can be avoided if you know how to properly plant corn in your summer cottage.

First of all, you must follow the recommended planting pattern. Firstly, because corn is a cross-pollinated plant and requires a certain arrangement in several rows to fully set ears. Secondly, because corn is very light-loving and does not tolerate even the slightest shading from its fellows. Thirdly, because at the first stage of growth, corn gives little growth and too sparse plantings may suffer from drying out the row spacing.

In private gardening, the following planting scheme is used: row sowing in holes of two seeds with an interval of 35 cm, in 2-3 rows with a distance between rows of 40-50 cm, or square nest sowing with a distance between plants of 45 cm (at 1 square meter should accommodate approximately 9 plants).

The depth of planting is determined by two factors: soil moisture and the condition of the seeds (sprouted or dry). If you plant swollen seeds with sprouts in warm and moist soil, then it is enough to deepen them by 3 - 4 cm. Dry seeds need to be buried deeper (5 - 6 cm).

For the dacha, it is important to plant corn with other vegetables together. It goes well with cucumbers, pumpkin, beans and beans. At the same time, if optimal conditions are created for the growth of two crops, then an increase in their yield is noted.

A negative growing experience may be associated with non-compliance with two important rules:

  • it is necessary to maintain the required nutrition area for each plant (if you plant corn as a compactor, then there will not be enough food and sun for anyone and you risk being left without a harvest at all);
  • Fertilizing with liquid organic fertilizers and mineral complexes is required, since joint planting increases the load on the soil.

Corn serves as a good support for cucumber vines, so holes for them can be made on both sides of the row at a distance of 40 cm. But heavy pumpkin vines can injure corn shoots, so it is better to place corn along the perimeter of the pumpkin patch at a distance of 50 cm and monitor the direction lashes

Beans and beans can be sown together with corn, but subject to mandatory thinning so that one representative of the species remains in one hole. It has been noted that when planting together, the likelihood of developing diseases is reduced.

And the last point - you should not plant corn along the fence or in the shade of the house. This culture is very demanding on lighting. If you want to pamper your family with sweet cobs, then allocate a place for it on the sunniest side of the site.

The most productive late varieties

In the southern regions you can often find fields where cereals are still growing in late October and November. Breeders managed to develop high-yielding late-ripening hybrids. Corn cobs, which are particularly resistant to disease, are harvested by the end of autumn.

The height of the stem of the Bashkirets variety is only slightly less than 3 meters, the weight of the ripe fruit exceeds 350 grams. The grains are arranged in rows, the average number of which is 18. The seeds are round in shape and colored yellow.

Pridnestrovian breeders developed Polaris, a corn variety that is the most productive among late hybrids. The stem of the plant is higher than 2 meters, ripe ears weigh up to 320 grams. Sweet grains have a delicate consistency and are covered with a thin shell.

The seeds of the Polaris hybrid contain a lot of sugars; in terms of their content, it leaves late-ripening varieties behind. Under favorable conditions, it is possible to harvest 22 tons of crop per hectare. The golden-colored grains are boiled, frozen, and preserved for the winter.

Corn for popcorn

In some varieties of the “queen of the field,” seeds ripen with water present inside. When heated, it becomes steam and breaks the shell of the grains. A handful of corn turns into a big bowl of popcorn in a minute.

Several varieties were specially bred for such purposes. The volcano is distinguished by tall stems on which yellow ears ripen, shaped like rice. The cereal rarely gets sick and adapts to different climate conditions.

The elastic grains of the Oerlikon variety are valued for their sweet taste; when heated, they give off a pleasant smell.

Russian popping corn has cobs up to 23 cm long and weighing up to 250 grams; the seeds ripen in approximately 100 days. Almost all grains burst when heated; this late variety is used to make flakes.

In the early variety Zeya, the seeds are not the usual yellow color, but almost black. They darken when there is a lack of moisture in the soil, but they do not lose their taste and properties during drought.

Rules for growing corn in central Russia

Corn is a very healthy vegetable crop, the grain of which contains essential amino acids for humans such as tryptophan and lysine. Once milky ripeness occurs, accumulation of sugars, fats and proteins occurs. Young grains have a high content of nicotinic acid and riboflavin. Many countries grow this useful crop.

Corn prefers to grow on fertile soils that are well warmed up, ventilated and filled with moisture. Does not like swampy and acidic soil. With long daylight hours, the vegetative mass (tops) develops strongly. As soon as the day shortens, flowering begins. Corn flowers are heterosexual. The female ones turn into cobs, the male ones form panicles on top of the stem. The roots are quite powerful; during the hilling process, adventitious roots appear.

Central Russia is a good place for growing sweet corn. The crop does not tolerate too high temperatures, since the sugar contained in the grain turns into starch within a short time.

Landing rules

Corn planting time is mid-May. It is planted in nests (4 pieces each), the distance between them is 70 by 70 cm. Planting depth is up to 8 centimeters. Corn grows and develops well at a temperature of +23 degrees. Shoots appear at a temperature of +10 degrees. When planting early varieties, the seeds are pre-soaked for a day in clean water to shorten the germination process. Afterwards they are germinated in compliance with the temperature regime from +16 to +20 degrees. Sprouted seeds are planted in the ground.

Rules of care

After the first 4 leaves appear, the plant is thinned out and only 2 copies are left. The rest is removed from the soil and thrown away. After panicles appear on the shoots, the soil between the rows is loosened to a height of 9 centimeters. If the weather remains dry, the young shoots should be watered. When the lateral stepsons grow by 5 centimeters, they are removed using a knife. In order for corn to produce a good harvest, fertilizers must be applied to the soil twice a season. The first time - 15 days after the appearance of the first shoots, the second time - when panicles appear. Fertilizing is also carried out using granular mineral fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Video tips for growing corn:

Krasnodar corn

Cereal crop selection is carried out in many countries and individual regions. Taking into account the characteristics of climate, fertility and soil type, productive hybrids are developed through crossing. Corn seeds of the Krasnodar 291 variety are purchased for planting by farmers in the Central Black Earth Regions and the North Caucasus. On bushes about 2 meters high, cylindrical ears are formed, each of them weighs at least 280 g.

The hybrid feels normal in the heat and heat and rarely gets sick. Farmers harvest up to 115 centners of crops from one hectare.

Corn Krasnodar 194 MV is grown in the southern regions, and in Eastern Siberia, and in the Middle Volga region, and in the North Caucasus. The variety tolerates cold weather, is resistant to lodging, and ripens in 3 months. Cylindrical cobs weighing about a quarter of a kilogram contain up to 18 rows of sweet yellow grains. Many farmers were interested in such characteristics of Krasnodar 194 corn, and the description of the variety also attracted summer residents. The seeds of the hybrid began to be sown immediately in open ground. The average yield exceeds 84 centners per hectare.

Growing corn seedlings

In regions with late spring and short summers, corn is grown in seedlings, which allows the harvest to be harvested several weeks earlier. It is better to sow seeds in individual peat pots or cassettes with cells with a volume of 45 cm 3. A universal soil mixture of garden soil, humus and sand is suitable as a substrate.

Seedlings can be grown in a film greenhouse or greenhouse, provided that measures are taken to accelerate soil warming. Planting corn seedlings is carried out by hatching seeds. To do this, seeds treated with fungicide are placed on damp gauze or filter paper a few days before planting.

In addition to the described methods of growing seedlings in the ground, resourceful gardeners came up with the idea of ​​growing seedlings without soil in so-called paper rolls.

The timing depends on the region; on average, seedlings should appear a month before the planned planting in a permanent place. Caring for seedlings consists of moderate watering and two feedings with liquid universal fertilizers.

The root system of corn is sensitive to damage, so when planting corn in open ground, you need to avoid breaking the roots. Some gardeners who have experience in growing seedlings of corn in the country claim that direct sowing into the ground gives the best results. This opinion was formed due to the sensitivity of corn to transplantation.

If the seedlings are overgrown, grown in a common box, did not receive phosphorus in fertilizing, or were planted too early, then you should not expect a good harvest. As with any other crop, the seedling method requires more time and labor.

Feed corn varieties

The fruits of the grain crop are used in the production of flour, cereals, starch, vegetable oil, and are consumed in canned and boiled form. The leaves and stems of the annual cereal are used in animal husbandry. The best varieties of feed corn that farmers grow in Russia as livestock feed include:

  • Viola;
  • Pearl;
  • The Golden Fleece.

Saratov Sugar and Aurica not only have sweet grains that people enjoy eating, but also thick, wide leaves that are used as silage for livestock.

The hybrid Adewey was specially bred for regions with arid climates. Corn has tall stalks and large cobs, the weight of which reaches 340 grams. In one row, and there are 14 of them, there are about 34 grains. The mid-early variety is cultivated in the Stavropol and Krasnodar regions. In the Belgorod region, where the plant does not experience a lack of moisture, the average yield per hectare is about 80 centners.

You can hear a lot of positive feedback from farmers about the corn hybrid DKS 3511. Seeds germinate even when the soil warms up to only 10 °C. The plant is distinguished by a powerful root system and thick leafy stems that are used for silage. High-yielding hybrid fodder corn is resistant to the disease:

  • rust;
  • nigrospora;
  • bubble smut;
  • spotting.

See also

Methods and rules for systematic pre-sowing tillage for corn

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DKS 3511 is cultivated using traditional technology, as well as using minimal tillage.

Farmers are most interested in what varieties of corn exist, and whether there are any that can be grown for both silage and grain in arid climates. Breeders annually develop hybrids that are suitable for different purposes.

Sweet corn - description of the culture

The crop is of an average level of complexity, it cannot be said that corn is an unpretentious plant; in order to get a high yield and a “stuffed” cob, you will have to try.


The plant needs sunlight to develop; sweet corn blooms about a week earlier with short days.

Frequent sowing of corn grains will lead to a low yield in the future.

As for the root system, it is developed quite well and powerfully, lying at a depth of a meter or deeper. The stem, for more dense strengthening in the soil, often produces additional roots, which contribute not only to stability, but also to better absorption of nutrients and moisture.

The erect stem of the plant grows up to 3.5 meters, has long, wide, pointed leaves with parallel veins. Male and female specimens are distinguished by the location of the inflorescences; in female corn they are located in the leaf axil, and in male corn they have the appearance of a species - an evolutionarily developed set of individuals, characterized by a single ... panicle.

The average weight of the cob is about 350-450 g. At the initial stage of ripeness, it has a milky tint and tender flesh; when fully ripe, the grains turn yellow and become coarse.


Corn seeds begin to germinate at temperatures from +11 °C, and the first shoots will appear when the ground warms up enough. Early sowings have performed poorly in terms of germination. Shoots appear sparse and diseased. The most favorable temperature for ear growth and development is + 23-28 °C. The ripening of an ear of sweet corn depends on the plant variety and growing conditions, usually at the end of August, beginning of September.

White corn varieties

In many countries, an annual cereal is cultivated, the small grains of which are surprising in their unusual color, and long and pointed leaves are located on tall stems. An interesting variety of corn variety was obtained as a result of crossing and is considered a hybrid; one of them, Snow Avalanche, is not afraid of heat and tolerates cold weather and dry weather well.

Thompson Prolific corn surprises with its large cobs, reaching 40 cm in length. This variety was bred in North America for flour production.

The Snow Queen rarely suffers from pests, almost never gets sick, and is eaten boiled and baked. Sweet seeds have a high sugar content. The weevil is snow-white in the Eskimo and Ice Nectar hybrids.

Corn

Features of the experience

Corn was sown on May 3-4 using a Monosem seeder following the grain predecessor. The main tillage is plowing to a depth of 25-27 cm. Fertilizers: ammonium nitrate 200 kg/ha in physical weight before sowing, Aminofol plus 0.5 l/ha during the growing season in the phase of 8-10 leaves. Herbicides - Elumis MD 1.4 l/ha in the phase of 5-8 leaves of the crop. Harvesting - September 18-19 using a New Holland CX 8080 combine. Repeat the experiment once, plant density before harvesting - 54-56 thousand/ha

TOP 10 most productive corn hybrids, maximum yield (c/ha):

  1. 49.38 SI Telios
  2. 48.94 SI Rotango
  3. 48.5 SI Respect
  4. 48.06 NK Gitago
  5. 47.18 NK Falcon
  6. 46.74 Feroxy, P 9241
  7. 46.3 SI Enigma, Fedoxi
  8. 45.86 DKS 3939, DKS 4014, Amelior, KVS 3381
  9. 45.41 SI Phenomenon, DKS 4964, Delitop
  10. 44.97 MAC 23 K

Hybrids of domestic selection deserve special mention. As noted by specialists from the Belokalitvinsky interdistrict department of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Rosselkhozcenter for the Rostov Region”, who have been supervising demonstration crops for several years, the hybrids of the Kuban agricultural holding show decent results. In terms of quantitative indicators, they did not make it into our top 10, but, according to the head of the department, Vladimir Polyakov, in terms of economic indicators, these hybrids occupy first places in the ranking.

— The cost of domestic hybrid seeds is significantly less than the cost of imported ones. And given the fact that they also show relatively high yields - from 37.92 c/ha to 43.21 c/ha, the benefits from their use are noticeable,” noted Vladimir Polyakov.

Japanese corn

Some types of grain crops grown for consumption as food have decorative properties. They have original leaves and unusually shaped cobs. The reddish-colored seeds of Japanese corn are eaten unripe. Dachas are decorated with cereal bushes.

The leaves of the Pearl Miracle variety are covered with stripes of different colors; the plant reaches a height of one and a half meters. Delicious grains are eaten. In a field or bed, such corn does not take root well, is afraid of the wind, and does not tolerate drafts.

Variety Bonduelle

Sweet varieties of corn, which are suitable for canning, are especially popular among Russian gardeners. Hybrids F1 Spirit, Bonus, Dobrynya are suitable for the middle zone, which do not require special skills for cultivation. The yield of Bonduelle varieties is quite high, but for this the corn needs to be fed with fertilizers and watered.

Trophy F1 is cultivated through seedlings in the middle zone and sowing in open ground in the southern regions. The hybrid pleases with sweet grains. The first ear can be picked after 75 days.

Bonus F1 corn surprises with its high yields. The dark yellow seeds on the cobs of the compact plant are arranged in 20 rows. Farmers manage to collect up to 100 centners of grain per hectare. The hybrid is planted by both summer residents and owners of country plots.

Growing sweet corn: where, when and how to plant


Sweet corn is not a capricious plant, but it is whimsical. The crop loves sunlight and regular watering; to form a large, healthy cob filled with grains, the plant needs fertilizing and fertilizers. You can start planting corn as early as early May (southern regions of the country) and late spring (central Russia).

It is important to choose the right variety of sweet corn that meets your needs and does not contradict your varietal “needs”.

Choose a well-lit area, protected from the wind.

The soil for planting sweet corn should be enriched and aerated. Waterlogged soils are destructive for corn, as they are for most cultivated plants.

Clogged, heavy, poor soils must be tidied up before planting. In heavy (loamy and chernozems) add peat, sand and organic matter in a bucket for each sq.m., add lime to acidic soils, enrich sandy soils with about 5-7 kg of organic matter. per sq.m. and 3 buckets of turf soil for each “square” of the plot. In addition to the above actions, the area is dug up with a shovel and harrowed, leaving no large boulders.


Predecessors for sweet corn in crop rotation can be tuber crops, legumes, and tomatoes. In addition to those mentioned, the culture gets along with melons and cabbage.

After you have prepared the soil of your site for sowing (applied organic and potassium fertilizers, dug up and harrowed), you can begin calibrating the corn grains, dressing and sowing.

Pay attention to the size of the grain, allow large and only whole sweet corn seeds for planting. The grain germination test is carried out by soaking corn seeds in a weak saline solution; only the grains that have settled to the bottom will sprout in the future.

Pre-treating the corn seed will protect it from fungal infections. The safest is a strong solution of manganese and a ten-minute soak.

Grains are laid out in formed beds 8-7 cm deep, in increments of 10-15 cm and sprinkled. The adjacent bed is placed 40 cm apart for better cross-pollination.


In addition to the linear planting method, sweet corn seeds can be planted using the square-cluster method. The area is divided into squares and holes are formed, 9-11 cm, grains are planted in the recesses and covered with soil, the surface is mulched to retain moisture.

Many gardeners practice the method of planting corn seedlings. Sweet corn is grown at home. In early spring, corn grains are planted in prepared containers with a substrate and wait for germination, and after the onset of heat, the seedlings are planted in open ground.

Corn for cooking

Forage varieties of cereals are not afraid of drought, are grown with virtually no watering, produce high yields, but are not suitable for consumption at the stage of milk maturity; the grains do not have enough sweetness and juiciness.

For cooking, varieties with golden or light yellow seeds are planted. Young cobs without top leaves are placed in a pressure cooker, microwave or oven and filled with cold water. In less than half an hour, the grains are softened and pierced with a fork.

Among the varieties of corn for cooking, hybrids are most often used in the form of:

  • Pioneer;
  • Jubilee;
  • Gourmets;
  • Spirit.

Cereal seeds will be even more tasty and sweet if you drain the water, leave the cobs in the pan for 20 minutes and wrap it in a towel. A mature vegetable needs to be cooked for about an hour.

Main characteristics of corn

This is an annual herbaceous plant whose stem height reaches 3 meters. The stem and leaves are considered consumables, and only the cobs and grains are used. The root system is multi-tiered and quite developed. The leaves are large, growing up to 100 mm wide and 1000 mm long. The plant is heat-loving, not afraid of drought, prefers to grow in large open spaces where there is no shade.

The growing season lasts from 65 to 150 days, depending on the variety. Flowering begins after 60 days. Milk ripeness occurs at 75–80 days. Cobs are rich in vitamins such as C, B, E. They are rich in phosphorus, fluorine, potassium, boron, iodine, iron, calcium. These elements are necessary for the proper development of the human body. Cobs also contain a large amount of protein and fat. Caloric value – 85.7 kcal. per 100 g of product. There are two ways to grow corn: seeds and seedlings.

Dentoform and semidentate

Late-ripening varieties of cereals Syngenta, Krasnodar 436 cannot boast of lush greenery, but have large cobs. Tooth corn grains have an elongated shape, with a hollow at the very top that is barely noticeable.

Varieties of this crop variety with high yields include Sterling, Dneprovsky 172 MV. Semi-dent corn is produced by crossing with flint maize. The yellow and white seeds of the cereal are eaten, used as cattle feed, and poultry eat them with pleasure.

Subspecies of common corn

There are many types of corn. Let's focus on the main ones.

MembranousThe grain is covered with spikelet scales. It is not used in agriculture.
SugarIt contains a high content of saccharides. The grains are delicate with a thin shell. A small starch content causes the grains to shrink during the drying process. For the production of Bonduelle, exclusively sugar varieties of corn are used.
StarchyMedium-sized plant with loose, round, smooth grain. Sleeps late. Cultivated for the production of starch and alcohol.
DentoformThe grain is flat, elongated, quite large in size, covered with a shell on the sides, the upper and central parts are loose and mealy. Often found on individual farms. The seeds produce alcohol, cereals, flour, and pet food. They are also used as planting material. Can be grown for silage.
BurstingBelongs to the category of the most popular types. The material is used to make delicious popcorn. The grain is similar to rice and pearl barley, has a high specific gravity, and only the germ is endowed with mealiness.
WaxyModification of the tooth-like variety. It has a two-layer shell that resembles a drop of wax. Hence the name of the variety. The inside of the seed is mealy with a high content of amylopectin.
SiliceousThe grains are smooth, rounded with a horn-like shell. Powderiness is found only in the central part. The variety is grown for the production of flour, corn sticks, flakes, and cereals.

A large number of hybrids of this culture were bred, which absorbed the various qualities of their ancestors.

Siliceous

A variety of corn with smooth, round-shaped grains is planted in fields and dachas. They contain a lot of starch. The seeds are colored in different colors, they can be light yellow, lilac, or brown. People value flint corn:

  • for its pleasant taste;
  • good yield;
  • resistance to adverse weather.

Hybrids Severodakotskaya, Voronezh 80, Ornamental Congo are not afraid of temperature changes. The grains are not infected by fungi, the plant is resistant to fusarium and the main pests of cereals.

Hybrid Phenomenon

Corn cobs ripen early, the orange seeds of which contain more than 70% starch. The leaves and stems of the crop are happily eaten by cattle. Not all summer residents know about the hybrid Phenomenon, although the variety is different:

  • excellent productivity;
  • drought resistance;
  • rapid development of the root system.

The plant even tolerates light frosts. On large cobs of the corn hybrid Phenomenon SI there are grains that are shaped like a human tooth. When ripe, the seeds quickly release moisture. The stems of the crop do not lie down.

Basic rules for caring for corn

Rapid growth of corn begins with the appearance of the first node on the plant. Before flowering, the plant gains growth up to 11 cm per day, after which the energy is allocated to the laying and growth of cobs.

Corn needs watering, weeding, fertilizing and hilling.

A good cob can only be obtained with abundant watering, two or three times a week.

Hilling and loosening of the soil is carried out for better aeration of the root system and the emergence of additional roots.

Young shoots are loosened very carefully so as not to damage them.

In order for the plant to grow to its full potential and the harvest to please you with large cobs, you need fertilizing. At the initial stage of the growing season, nitrogen is introduced, it stimulates plant growth. A week after adding nitrogen, fertilize with phosphorus; it is necessary for the formation of a large and filling ear.

Potassium fertilizers are applied together with phosphorus; they reduce the risk of plant lodging and strengthen the root system.

The best option for fertilizing is the application of nitroammophosphate and compost at the beginning of the plant's growing season and at the stage of cob formation.


If the corn variety is prone to lodging or the area is windy, it is better to tie up the stalks in advance, before the plant grows to its full height. Weeding is carried out as necessary a couple of times during the growing season of sweet corn.

In addition to the above care measures, corn shoots should be removed. Leaving 2-3 ears for growth and development.

Pioneer and its hybrids

Gardeners who plant the “queen of fields” on their plots try to change varieties more often, because the grain does not always please with its yield. For more than 30 years, we have been supplying corn hybrids to the market in different countries. Plants grow quickly, take root in different lands, and withstand weather surprises.

The manufacturer offers customers different varieties of Pioneer corn seeds:

  • Elite FAO 210;
  • 3893 Clarika;
  • Costella 220.

Hybrid grains contain a large amount of nutrients. They are used to produce cereals, flour, and feed cattle.

Membranous

In African countries, a cereal grows whose cobs covered with scales are not eaten, although the grains are yellow in color and do not differ in appearance from the seeds of maize, brought from Latin America to Europe. Film corn has no hybrids, no one is breeding it. It has not become widespread, perhaps because each grain must be separated from the scales before boiling or baking.

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