26 November 2020
To ensure optimised yield and maximum profitability in your maize farming practice, requires insight into every facet of your maize plants’ development. Understanding the different growth phases of a maize plant and gaining knowledge into the requirements of each of these phases, allows for an understanding of the treatment required for each stage in order to provide efficient protection.
The maize plant’s life cycle consists of two key developmental phases: the vegetative phase (V phase) and the reproductive phase (R phase). The vegetative phase is considered one of the most important phases in the development of the maize plant as the plant’s “factory” is produced during this phase which plays a pivotal role in the subsequent stages of the development process. The emergence stage is the first stage in the vegetative phase. This is followed by the V1 stage and can reach a V21 stage which is indicative of the amount of leaves produced by the maize plant during this stage. Ensuring that you have a good plant population during the emergence stage is also important for securing your yield at the end of the season.
During the V3 stage, the number of rows per ear that the plant will produce, is already determined. Any form of stress induced on the plant will therefore negatively impact the yield. It is important to refrain from spraying glyphosate on top of your maize plants from the V8 stage onwards as this can damage the growth point and can have a negative effect on pollination. VT is the last stage of the vegetative phase. During this stage the tassels emerge, and the spraying of any products on top of these plants must be avoided as it may damage the pollen and influence pollination.
The vegetative phase is followed by the first stage of the reproductive phase (R1) which involves silk-forming. This is a critical stage as water and nutrient stress can result in the strained development of the maize cobs. This is followed by the R2 stage, also known as the blister stage in which the kernels are still very small and watery. The plant will finally reach physiological maturity during the R6 stage. This means that the water and nutrient flow between the shank and the kernel has stopped. Environmental stress has an enormous impact on your yield during this time as it can lead to the abortion of kernels and a reduction of the kernel weight.
Our DEKALB® seed offers the built-in technology to ensure that your maize plant is protected in every stage of its growth cycle, which ultimately has a positive effect on the yield produced and the farmer’s return on investment. Take a look at our wide range of DEKALB hybrids and the technology that supports each of them and make the best decision for your farming practice this season.