What is the corn yield per 1 hectare: average, influence of the type of variety or hybrid and other factors
Corn is one of the main Western crops. In European, and especially in American latitudes, this cereal plant is distinguished by its productivity. In Russia, growing corn does not produce such successful results, but with a competent approach, compliance with growing technologies and selection of the most prolific varieties, you can get a good harvest.
What is the corn yield per 1 hectare
Corn more capricious than many cultures, to which we are accustomed in the middle zone. This directly affects how fertile the plantings will be.
Growth phases
At the corn there are as many as six phases of growth.
Emergence of seedlings
Under good weather conditions, this phase takes 7-8 days, under bad weather conditions – 15-16 days.. During this time, the above-ground mass of greenery is actively developing, but most resources are devoted to the growth of the root system.
Appearance of panicles
At this stage of crop cultivation, the greatest increase in green mass is observed. In warm sunny weather, the dynamics can be up to 10-12 cm per day. The panicle is forming in different varieties differently:
- early ripening - at the stage of 4-7 leaves;
- mid-season - 5-8 leaves;
- mid-late - 8-11 leaves.
Flowering cobs
Also at this stage, threads are formed and pollination of pistils and stamens occurs. Flowering occurs at:
- early ripening - in the phase of 7-11 leaves;
- mid-season - 8-12 leaves;
- mid-late - 11-16 leaves.
Once flowering is complete, the corn will no longer grow green., it will remain the same size as it was.
Milky state of grain
During this period, corn matures up to 75%, accumulating useful organic elements.
Milky-waxy ripeness
The corn turns yellow and receives familiar to the consumer view.
Waxy ripeness
By the end of this stage cobs form the largest amount of dry matter.
Most important for determining yield the first 10-15 days before the sprouts emerge and the next 20 days before flowering and pollination of heterosexual plants. If the weather is bad at this time (rain, hail, frost, etc.), you should not expect a big harvest.
Average yield
In Russia the average yield corn is 50-70 c/ha. According to official data, this figure, however, does not exceed the level of 35-45 c/ha, but this is already due to different climatic conditions in the country.
The reason for such low results may also lie in the fact that in the Russian Federation it is not customary to artificially irrigate corn fields, they feed only on natural moisture from rain or groundwater. Farmers irrigating corn reported that they could get up to 100-110 c/ha.
Important! It is difficult to talk about the average yield in the country because different varieties and hybrids are used; In addition, the climatic factor does not always allow for successful harvesting.
If possible, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the statistics for your region. over the past years. By drawing the average value over the last 3-5 years, you can get an approximate standard for your region or region.
How to calculate the approximate number using the formula
For a mathematical approach to calculating potential grain yield, you need to make calculations in several steps:
1 step. Determination of grain yield
Grain yield = 100 * Grain weight / Whole cob weight
This the formula helps determine the percentage of grain to weight of the entire cob and find out how much of the crop is suitable for consumption.
Attention! It can only be used for standard sowing of crops according to the 70x35 cm pattern.
Example. There is only one ear per plant, its weight is 220 g, its grain yield is 80%. This means that at a distance of 70x35 cm, its feeding area will be 2450 square meters. cm or 0.245 sq. m.
Step 2. Dividing the planting area by the number of plants
Plant density per 1 ha = 10,000 sq. m/feeding area 1 plant
According to our example: plant density per 1 hectare: 10,000 sq. m / 0.245 sq. m = 40,890 plants per 1 hectare.
Step 3. Final calculation of the mass of grain and cobs
Ear yield = cob weight * number of plants per 1 ha
Grain yield = cob yield * grain yield / 100
According to our example:
Ear yield = 220 (g) × 40,000 = 8.8 t/ha;
Grain yield = Up × Up: 100 = 8.8 × 80: 100 = 7.04 t/ha.
Reference. Without initially calculating the cob yield, you will not be able to obtain the grain yield.
Factors that influence this
Among the main aspects of a decrease in corn yield are the following::
- The degree of weed infestation of fields, types of weeds. Particularly dangerous for corn are field thistle, Tatarian lettuce, field thistle, field bindweed, white pigweed, common pickleweed, noticeable pickleweed, upturned acorn grass, common barnacle grass, green bristle grass, and hairy millet.
- Crop rotation - predecessor crops that were on this field in previous seasons, as well as the timing of their harvesting.Good predecessors include winter wheat, leguminous and melon crops, perennial grasses, potatoes, lupine, flax; bad predecessors include Sudan grass, sorghum, and sunflower.
- Relief. For growing corn The southern steppes are best suited.
It is recommended to plant corn in fields protected by forests on the north or northeast side. As for pre-treatment of the soil, regardless of what was grown and at what time, as well as for additional weed removal, it is necessary to peel the stubble twice with disk equipment to a depth of 8-10 cm.
Productivity of different types of corn
However the most significant factor is the choice of corn variety, because it directly determines the size of the future harvest.
Varieties and their yield
Early ripening varieties and hybrids are best suited for Russian climatic conditions. They manage to ripen before frost hits. The second advantage is higher yields than mid-ripening and early-ripening crops.
As for corn silage for animal feed, then it is best to plant mixed crops. They should be based on late-ripening varieties (for example, Rossiyskaya bursting 3, Polaris, Bashkirovets) so that the greens turn out moist and juicy. Mid-ripening and early-ripening varieties and hybrids, including Brusnitsa, Maksalia, Trofi F1, Jubilee F1, Ladozhsky 191, in addition to silage, will also produce good cobs.
Hybrids and their productivity
Experienced agronomists advise deciding in favor of hybrids rather than natural varieties. Since corn is not one of the key crops in central Russia, hybrids are easier to adapt to local conditions, since they are more stable and unpretentious. Their yield, as a rule, turns out to be several times higher than that of conventional varieties..
The most productive varieties and hybrids
The highest-yielding varieties and hybrids on the territory of the Russian Federation include:
- Collective 160;
- Bemo 182;
- Dokuchaevsky 250;
- Corsair 315;
- Spirit;
- Gourmet 121.
Ways to increase it
To obtain the largest and highest quality harvest, it is necessary:
- Analyze the weather forecast for 3-4 months ahead. If this is not possible, at least for 1-2 months to prevent the most important stage of the appearance of sprouts and flowering panicles from being affected by frost or rain.
- Choose the most suitable varieties for your region, giving preference to early ripening hybrids.
- Pre-cultivate the soil mechanically to get rid of weeds and residues of previous crops.
- Don’t forget to also pre-fertilize with mineral and organic fertilizers. For organic nutrition, as a rule, cow manure mixed in water is used in a ratio of 1:5 at a rate of 60–80 t/ha; from inorganic - ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and superphosphate (8-12 kg/ha). All these fertilizers are applied to the ground after plowing and before planting the seeds. To remove remnants of weeds and predecessor crops, it is necessary to use herbicides before planting the seeds. The best preparations for corn are Prima, Disulam, Agent (for dicotyledonous weeds), Chester, Monsoon, Miladar (for cereal weeds).
Conclusion
To successfully grow a corn crop, you need to pay special attention to the following steps. Careful soil preparation: removal of weeds and residues of previous crops grown in the same place, as well as the application of complex fertilizers.Choice of variety: if you grow corn for self-consumption, give preference to early-ripening varieties; if for livestock feed, combine early, mid and late maturing varieties. Try to choose the time for sowing so that the next month is guaranteed to be warm, sunny weather. Then the emergence of seedlings and flowering will take place in the most favorable conditions, because the volume of the harvest depends on this stage.