Corn, next to wheat and rice, is the most important crop in the world. This forces continuous development and the creation of new varieties.

The grains of this plant can be used in several ways: as feed (silage grain), for industrial purposes (bioethanol production) and for food purposes (corn for grain, intended for the production of flour or porridge).

Requirements for grain corn varieties

Not every corn grain is suitable for milling. Corn varieties intended for grain should be characterized by a high level of yield.

They should also be resistant to diseases and pests, but also to weather conditions (e.g. droughts).

An important feature of corn intended for grain is its earliness and stability of yield in unusual weather conditions.
It is estimated that the correct selection of the corn variety for grain determines 30% of the profit obtained from its cultivation.

Selection of appropriate earliness of corn

The earliness of corn is called FAO number. The higher it is, the later the variety. According to the guidelines, Poland is divided into 4 early regions (the entire system includes 9 of them).

The first region is the region with the FAO number up to 300 (late variety). In region II it ranges from 230 to 260 (medium-early variety). In region III this value is up to 210 (early variety). Region IV - mountain - is characterized by FAO below 200.

In the case of corn, it is assumed that the higher the FAO index, the greater its yield potential. However, maize with high FAO will not be suitable for cultivation in northern Poland.

This is due to unfavorable thermal conditions, which may prevent it from reaching maturity suitable for harvesting, and is associated with grain moisture of at least 45%.

FLINT and DENT types

Varieties of this type are mixed varieties. FLINT maize is characterized by better resistance to cold, earlier flowering and high resistance to diseases.

It will work well in areas with a cool or cold spring and in cold locations. The DENT variety is recommended for cultivation in warmer regions.

Other important characteristics of corn intended for grain

The earliness of the variety is one of the most important features of seeds intended for grain. However, there are a number of other parameters that are also important. One of these parameters is lodging tolerance.

This parameter is important in the last stages of vegetation and before harvest. For example, the standing variety of corn is easier to thresh. Another important feature that corn intended for grain should have is tolerance to reduced stocking density.

This is due to the fact that using the wrong amount of sowing may cause the plants to be in worse condition, which will ultimately affect the yield.

When choosing seeds for corn intended for grain, you should choose varieties that are less susceptible to attack by fungi from the Fusarium family. This is due to the fact that these fungi completely disqualify a given batch of purchased corn.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the offer of corn seeds intended for grain available in our store.

Corn is an annual plant from the Poaceae family. It is, together with wheat and rice, one of the main crops around the world.

Corn grains are widely used in the milling industry for the production of flour, as well as in the food industry for the production of groats, corn flakes, oil, popcorn, it can be eaten cooked. You can obtain fructose, starch and biogas from it.

In the agricultural industry, it is widely used in the production of fodder - silage is made from it.

Varieties of corn for grain - what requirements must it meet?

One of the main uses of corn is its use in the milling industry. Not all corn grains can be used in this industry, however. The best corn varieties for grain are those with high yields.

When choosing a variety of corn for grain, it is worth paying attention to whether it is resistant to diseases, pests, weather conditions, its growth rate and whether the plant will be tall and leafy.

An important feature of corn for grain is its early yield and resistance to difficult weather conditions. The correct selection of corn for grain affects the future profit from its cultivation by up to 30%.

Optimum early growth

The FAO number is a system of digital markings that indicate the earliness of varieties. This number determines the growing season needed to accumulate dry matter. The higher the FAO number, the later the variety will grow.

The FAO number of a given variety can be found at the Central Plant Variety Research Center. According to the guidelines, there are 4 regions of earliness in Poland (there are 9 in total).

The number of FAO in the first region is 300 and it is a late variety, in the second region it ranges between 230 and 260 and it is a medium early variety. The third region has a value up to 210 and is an early variety. Region four is characterized by an FAO number of less than 200.

In relation to corn, it is assumed that the higher the FAO number, the higher the yield potential. However, it should be remembered that corn with high FAO is not suitable for cultivation in the northern part of Poland.

This is due to unfavorable thermal conditions there that prevent the corn from reaching maturity. This is due to the high grain moisture in this region, which is 45%.

FLINT and DENT varieties

The FLINT and DENT types, apart from the grain structure, differ in the appearance of the plants. They also have other agrotechnical requirements. Both varieties are mixed varieties.

The FLINT variety is characterized by greater resistance to low temperatures, blooms earlier and is resistant to diseases. Its grain is medium-sized, almost round, has a thick layer of hyaline endosperm, and is characterized by high density and hardness.

This variety is recommended for cultivation in the northern and north-eastern regions.

The DENT variety is less resistant to cold weather, has slower initial development and later flowering. Its grain is elongated and flattened with a characteristic depression at the top.

This variety performs better in warmer regions.

Other features that corn for grain should have

In addition to earliness, which is the most important parameter when selecting corn for grain, other factors are important.

The first is lodging tolerance. This is important in the final stages of vegetation and before harvest. For example, the standing variety of corn is easier to thresh.

Another important parameter is tolerance to reduced stocking density. Using an inappropriate amount of sowing may result in poorer plant condition and, consequently, poorer yield.

When choosing corn for grain, pay attention to whether it is resistant to fungi from the Fusarium family. The presence of this fungus completely disqualifies purchased corn.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with our offer, and if you have any questions or doubts, please contact us.

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