Despite the difficulties with corn exports this year and last year, the crop remains among the leaders in sown area.

Corn is one of the most productive crops in our country's agriculture. To form a high yield it needs balanced nutrition throughout the whole growing season. One should of course start with basic fertilization, carefully select starter fertilizers and also carry out foliar feeding in critical periods with important elements, preventively and based on diagnostics.

One of the most critical periods in nutrition is the formation of 4–6 leaves. At this time plants need a sufficient supply of zinc.

The role of zinc in corn nutrition at this time is multifaceted, but the following are of utmost importance:

  • stimulation of the synthesis of the growth hormones auxins;
  • release of reserve nutrients from the seed;
  • influence on the formation of ear productivity elements.

In this period we recommend foliar feeding with the micro-fertilizer ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) at a dose of 1.0 l/ha. Feeding can be carried out simultaneously with the application of insurance herbicides.

When a deficiency of both phosphorus and zinc is noticeable, it is advisable to use the special fertilizer ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Zn) at a rate of 1.5–2.0 l/ha for foliar feeding: a special composition with phosphorus in phosphite form to eliminate phosphorus, potassium and zinc deficiency and strengthen root system growth.

In case of a pronounced phosphorus deficiency, in particular during cold snaps, and weak development of the root system, we recommend using a combination of fertilizers for foliar feeding: ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0–1.5 l/ha and ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) 1.0 l/ha. Such an approach will not only help the plant overcome phosphorus and zinc starvation and activate the development of the secondary root system but will also significantly strengthen the immunity of corn plants and their resistance to fungal pathogens.

It should be noted that, according to independent research, phosphites at the recommended doses did not suppress the vital activity of soil microorganisms but, on the contrary, promoted better development of agronomically valuable groups of microorganisms in the soil