Guide de culture du Corn (Maize)

Plant corn when soil temperature reaches 10°C at 5 cm depth — cold soil delays germination and increases seedling disease risk.

Corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder — side-dress nitrogen at V6 stage (6 visible leaves) for maximum grain fill.

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than long single rows — corn is wind-pollinated and needs adjacent plants for proper ear fill.

The critical water demand period is tasseling through grain fill (VT-R3). Water stress during this 3-week window reduces yield 3-8% per day.

Rotate corn with soybeans or other legumes — this breaks pest cycles and provides 40-80 kg/ha of nitrogen credit from legume fixation.

Harvest grain corn at 15-20% moisture for best storage quality. Delay risks field losses from stalk lodging and ear drop.