Maize

Maize (Zea mays L.)

It is one of the most important annual spring plants of arable crops for Greece. Due to its high productivity in biomass and fruit, it needs sufficient nutrients in order to achieve the desired high production yields. Therefore, sustainable fertilisation of maize is essential to maintain soil fertility, increase yields and improve the quality characteristics of the crop.

Specific characteristics

Maize is a highly productive plant. For this reason, its nutrient requirements for nitrogen are particularly high. Nitrogen (N) is the most important nutrient for maize, regulating the growth, quality and yield of the crop. Its deficiency leads to a reduction in seed number and weight, as well as a reduction in biomass, with significant effects on both yield and quality.

Phosphorus (P₂O₅) promotes the proper development of the plant’s root system and is essential for photosynthesis, respiration, carbohydrate synthesis, cell division and energy transfer. Potassium (K₂O) is required for the activation of many enzymes and contributes significantly to the water balance of plants.

In addition, maize has particular requirements for Sulphur (S), Magnesium (MgO), Calcium (CaO), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn).

Basal fertilisation

Basal fertilisation for maize cultivation focuses on achieving the following objectives:

Optimal plant establishment, creating a rich root system, and supplying the plants with all the necessary nutrients for proper vegetative growth and flowering of the crop.
Sufficient supply of Phosphorus (P2O5) and Potassium (K2O) for the next critical stages of growth.
Apply 1/3 or 1/2 of total N requirements.
Maize has particular requirements for Sulphur (S), Magnesium (MgO), Calcium (CaO), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn).

Top-dressing fertilisation

Top-dressing fertilisation of maize mainly involves the application of a significant amount of Nitrogen (N) during crop growth in order to meet the second peak of N requirements (50-70% of annual requirements).

It has been estimated that the maximum N requirements of maize are between the 75th and 90th day after seed germination. Phenologically, this is the period between the flowering of the scab and the stems. At the same time, high N requirements have also been observed at the seed filling stage.

Nitrogen management, however, is a unique and complex process. Because of its peculiar forms in the soil, it has been estimated that 50 - 70% of the nitrogen applied to the soil is lost. Therefore, improving the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Index is a prerequisite for us to optimize crop yields and agricultural income while minimizing N losses to the environment.
The choice of nitrogen fertilisers must be made in such a way as to avoid nitrogen losses due to ammonia volatilisation or leaching.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient requirements need to be determined on the basis of soil properties, nutrient levels in the soil, the type of previous crop, the climatic conditions of the area, the overall nutrient requirements of the crop, the type of the hybrid, the use of the crop (whether for fruit or silage), and the expected yield of the maize crop.

Nutritional requirements of maize

One approach to calculating the nutrient requirements of maize is as follows:

The total nutrient requirements for a 1 – 1,5 tn / stremma production are :

Nitrogen

(N) 18-30 kg
Phosphorus

(P2O5) 4-8 kg
Potassium

(K2O) 20-25 kg

Crop Recommendation Program

The doses and growth stages are indicative and are always adjusted according to the recommendations of the agricultural engineer.

Because rational fertilisation is always assessed in relation to:

Expected yield
Soil characteristics
Planting density
Environmental conditions
Growth stage
Growing season
Variety

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