- The maize flowering period is considered the most important in terms of building maize yield potential.
- During this time, any stress factor may disturb the cob graining process.
To a large extent, the yield potential of corn is determined by the vegetation conditions during the tapping and flowering periods. How does corn go through these most important development phases? We talk about this topic with prof. Paweł Bereś from IOR-PIB, TSD Rzeszów.
– The panicling of early varieties of maize was recorded from the beginning of July, and the later varieties were panicled from the second half of July. So far, there are no major problems with this process, as indicated by the growers themselves. Although there is a visible water deficit in places – says Prof. in an interview with farmer.pl. Paweł Bereś.
Cobs appear, but their share is not high
As the scientist adds: – However, when traveling around the country, corn is not blooming properly everywhere. As a result of spring stress conditions, some plantations may experience a problem with the appearance of cobwebs, which, as we know, is a physiological disorder and interferes with pollen production as such.
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Heat destroyed corn crops in Romania and Ukraine. Harvest will be much lower
Cobs are the result of a stress factor. They may result, for example, from damage to plants in the early stages of development, e.g. by hail, frost, drought, or care treatments. However, they are often the result of stress in plants due to weather (high temperatures, drought, flooding) or a varietal reaction to some herbicides.
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Corn flowering is a key period for yield
Drought is taking its toll locally
However, drought is locally visible in this crop. According to IUNG-PIB in Puławy, drought since the 4th drought report has been observed in many regions of the country in the case of both grain and silage maize. In the sixth report, drought occurred mainly in the eastern-northern regions, Mazovia and the province. Łódź (maps). The darker the color, the more visible the drought (red means that 80% of the soil in a given district is affected by this element).
Potential drought ranges in maize for silage (left side) and for grain. 6 drought report of IUNG-PIB in Puławy Source: IUNG-PIB
In these regions, the greatest impact of water deficit on plant development is expected.
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Drought is powerful! The corn is already cooking
Spot rainfall is not a guarantee
– On some plantations in various parts of the country, corn was affected by drought, which is due to the locality of rainfall. Unfortunately, drought negatively affects the process of corn pollen and cob pollination, so there may be problems with the quality of the cobs (their grain size, size and filling of the grains) later. There are plantations where the panicle started pollen before the cob released stigmas ready to receive pollen and vice versa, and this will have consequences in the seeding of the cobs – explains Prof. Bereś.
If the stigmas were well hydrated (not dried) during the pollen season, there is hope that the cob will seed well. Unfortunately, this was not possible everywhere. During tapping, high temperatures prevailed, which could prematurely dry the stigmas. In this situation, they do not play their role.
As Professor Bereś points out – the flowering period of some varieties fell in the period of almost tropical heat, hence, as in recent years, there may be a local problem of pollen dying before fertilization of the female stigmas, which may result in weaker seeding, but this will be possible to verify at a later time.
Water determines the grain size of the cobs
Fortunately, in many places, despite high temperatures, there was high rainfall accompanying the storms. Corn uses this water very well,
– In general, however, it can be indicated that in July, no drastic situations were recorded on a large scale during plant tapping, which could clearly indicate that there will be serious problems with the yield later – sums up the scientist.
The cobs are currently taking shape. Their grain formation is the result of access to water and nutrients. Photo. T. Kuchta
However, there is still an important month ahead of us in building the corn crop. Drought may also disturb the formation of the last yield parameter, i.e. MTZ. Moreover, on many plantations the plant produces many cobs (two or even more), which is also considered an unfavorable phenomenon. Stress during corn flowering also increases the risk of the next generation of corn smut later in life. However, we will find out in a few weeks whether this disease will play a significant role this year.