How to fertilize corn?

Corn is the only cultural representative of the Corn family of the cereal family. At first glance, it may seem that this is an unpretentious annual plant, which is not entirely true. Corn can please the farmer with a good harvest only if it is fed well. Moreover, it must be grown on fertile soil.

The plant is quite demanding, consumes nutrients during the entire period of growth and development. Moreover, corn will not grow at all if the seeds are sown in acidic soil. For this cereal, loose and nitrogen-rich soil is most acceptable. Therefore, farmers try to allocate the highest quality plots for this plant, having fertilized them with manure in advance. Depending on the type of soil, the fertilizer application rate varies from 40-60 tons per hectare (for the northern regions or Polesie) to 8-10 centners in the steppes.

To accomplish the task, both organic and mineral fertilizers can be used. The plant most of all requires potassium and nitrogen from minerals, but you should also not forget about phosphorus, especially during the periods of the formation of the root system. This fertilizer should be supplied in the required amount during flowering and maturation of the plant.

The main types of fertilizers:

1. Nitrogen. In this case, experienced farmers often resort to ammonium nitrate, carbamide and a mixture of ammonia water. As a result of the fact that the herbaceous plant creates a large volume of plant mass, constant nutrition is especially important for it. In the early stages of growth, this is not so critical, but during the flowering period, corn must be fertilized with nitrogen constantly. Fertilizers must be applied 10 days before sowing.
2. Phosphorus. This element is necessary to provide stimulation of initial growth, therefore, it is introduced in the early stages of formation. You will also need it later - with flowering and the appearance of grains. The required amount of phosphorus is contained in ammophos or superphosphate.
3. Potassium. The volume of the crop depends on this substance. Lack of potassium causes stunted growth. The corn begins to turn yellow, subsequently it can dry out altogether. If the amount of fertilizer is sufficient, cereals use water efficiently, so in extreme heat the plant can easily withstand drought. Potassium chloride, potassium magnesium and potassium salt are some of the best options.

You also need to consider: when corn is grown in acidic soil, liming will be required in advance. Otherwise, fertilizing cereals, even in large quantities, will be useless.