Corn, one of the most productive crops in our country's farming, needs balanced nutrition throughout the whole growing season to form a high yield, but one of the most critical periods is the 4–6 leaf stage. At this time plants most need a sufficient supply of zinc.
The role of zinc in corn nutrition is many-sided, but the most important in the early stages of development is:
- stimulating the synthesis of the growth hormones, auxins;
- releasing reserve nutrients from the seed;
- influence on the formation of ear yield components.
To prevent or eliminate zinc deficiency at the 4–6 leaf stage we recommend foliar feeding of corn with the microfertilizer ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) at 1.0 l/ha (it can be applied together with post-emergence herbicides).
When deficiency of both phosphorus and zinc is noticeable, it is advisable to use for foliar feeding the fertilizer ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Zn) at 1.5–2.0 l/ha. This special composition, containing phosphorus in the form of phosphite, was developed to eliminate deficiency of phosphorus, potassium and zinc and to strengthen root system growth.
In the case of pronounced phosphorus deficiency, in particular during cold spells, and with poor root system development, we recommend a combination of foliar fertilizers ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0–1.5 l/ha and ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) 0.5–1.0 l/ha. This approach will not only help the plant overcome phosphorus and zinc starvation and activate development of the secondary root system, but will also significantly strengthen the immunity of corn plants and their resistance to fungal infections. It should be noted that, according to independent studies, phosphites at the recommended doses did not suppress soil life but, on the contrary, promoted better development of agronomically valuable groups of microorganisms in the soil.
Signs of zinc deficiency on corn
Signs of potassium deficiency on corn
Corn plants 2 weeks after the first foliar feeding (at the 4–6 leaf stage). K – control (farm scheme), 1 – ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Amino) 1.5 l/ha + ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) 1 l/ha (Ahrotrade LLC, Chernihiv region, 2019)
