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Brazilian Embrapa provide guidelines for corn planting to ensure higher productivity
Nov. 22, 2016
Farmers are preparing to start planting corn. It is very important to plan the actions during this time to ensure good production and profitability. Success in growing corn depends on good climatic conditions and good crop management using appropriate technologies.
It has been shown that only by achieving high yields can the producer minimize price fluctuations in the corn market, which has two large harvests (summer and winter) within the same year.
Researchers from Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) drew up guidelines to be used by farmers from Sete Lagoas, MG region, for planting corn and sorghum.
They explained that farmers must always be aware of the characteristics of the seeds most suited to their region, as “seeds” were the basis for crop cultivation. The guidelines for the producers include information on the seeds' productive potential, stability, resistance to diseases, suitability to the production system in use, and climatic and soil conditions. In addition, it was necessary to observe whether the seed lot purchased was within the validity period and if the germination was close to 100%.
The annual survey conducted by Embrapa shows that for the 2016/17 crop, 315 maize cultivars were available.
In addition to making the choice for the most appropriate hybrid, the producers should not give up the planting of the refuge, if he chooses to sow some material with transgenic technology. The planting of the refuge, when done in a correct way following the technical guidelines, allows the reduction of crop production costs, due to the lower application of caterpillar control products, and is the most appropriate way of maintaining the technology of transgenic maize.
Despite uncertainties, the main guideline for the preparation of area for planting include the growers' plan to remain assertive in their choices to be able to optimize the use of inputs (reducing production costs) and minimize the effects of possible water restrictions that could affect profitability.
Another criterion that is important is the sizing of the area to be planted. The sizing must be consistent with the operational capacity; that is, the size of the area must be defined, considering the machines and implements available for all mechanized operations.
This premise is also valid for spraying, because, in the case of a pest or disease requiring tractor application, the increase in working speed implies higher losses and lower operational effectiveness.
Other issue to be analyzed is fertilization that is based on productivity expectancy. The best strategy is always to carry out the fertilization following the soil analysis and the expected productivity. The most important idea is to adopt the criterion of using the right source at the recommended dose. Efficient management of soil fertility begins with the establishment of a good no-till system, which allows greater accumulation of straw and deeper root growth, which are key factors for better performance of crops under conditions subject to water deficit.
They also explained that integrated pest management was the cheapest technology. Trap monitoring for insects also has several operational benefits.
Related to disease management, they estimated that it was also important to know the symptoms of the major diseases and the phase in which they tend to appear to define the control strategies.
The incidence and severity of many diseases are related to the cultivated crops and climatic conditions during the development of the crops. Many hybrids are resistant to certain diseases, and this resistance may be an interesting criterion for the choice of the material to be sown.
Source: AgroNews
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