Cultivation and Fertilization of Corn
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the world’s most strategic cereal crops and a key component of Italian agriculture, with Italy ranking among the main European producers.
Despite this, Italy remains heavily dependent on imports to meet its domestic corn demand. The main production areas are located in the northern regions of the country. Corn offers remarkable versatility, as it can be used for human consumption, flour production, animal feed, or silage, utilizing the entire plant.
Drought represents the greatest risk factor, as it severely limits plant growth and productivity.
Nutritional Recommendations for Corn
Localized fertilization near the seed is highly recommended, as it promotes a strong starter effect and rapid emergence. This is typically done using granular or microgranular fertilizers containing phosphorus and nitrogen.
Corn also benefits greatly from organic fertilization, as the mineralization of organic matter progresses in sync with the crop’s nutrient needs.
Top dressing with slow-release nitrogen fertilizers is advised to ensure nutrient availability during the crop’s key growth phases.
Potassium is a crucial element for corn, which absorbs it in significant quantities; deficiencies can negatively affect yield and plant health.
Below you will find the most effective strategies for balanced fertilization of CORN, to ensure strong plants that are less susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses and capable of achieving high productivity.
PRODUCT POSITIONING BY PHENOLOGICAL PHASE - TRADITIONAL LINE
PRODUCT POSITIONING BY PHENOLOGICAL PHASE - ORGANIC LINE
Need assistance?
Through the use of mineral fertilizers containing an organic matrix, such as humic acids (e.g., Universal Up). For top dressing, nitrogen fertilizers with inhibited nitrogen and sulfur (such as Cerea Slow 46) are recommended, as they provide a steady nutrient supply throughout the crop’s entire cycle.
Using biostimulant products containing humic acids and amino acids helps prevent stress due to possible phytotoxicity and promotes photosynthesis in the plant. Some of these products also enhance herbicide efficacy by acidifying the solution and improving the absorption of active ingredients (e.g., NaturBlack and B-Power).
In soils rich in organic matter and nutrients, or where corn follows an improving or renewal crop, localized fertilization at sowing can be carried out using NP fertilizers containing humic acids (such as Universal Up) or slow-release NPK fertilizers (such as BluRain).
In nutrient-poor soils, or where corn follows depleting crops, it is recommended to perform base fertilization across the entire field with a complex granular NPK fertilizer (Cerea Blu or BluRain), supplemented at sowing with a microgranular NP fertilizer (such as Super Power) to ensure an excellent start for the crop.