Corn is one of the most favorite foods worldwide giving us roasted corn, popcorn and tortillas as well as many dishes and desserts using corn flour. Corn is rich in fiber, vitamins, trace elements and antioxidants. Although it belongs to the cereal grain group, it does not contain gluten and is therefore a substitute for those foods containing it. This article offers a few tips on irrigating corn and treating the most dangerous for it insect - Diabrotica.
General information about the cultivation of corn
Cultivation of corn requires medium soil (clayey or slimy), deep, with good disinfection and a pH range of 6 - 6.8. Corn seeds must be sprayed in a row at a distance of 30 to 40 cm. Line spacing should be from 50 to 100 centimeters. A suitable season for sowing in the northern hemisphere is April - May. Usually corn ripens 2.5 - 3.5 months after sowing, when flowering is tough and full of seeds and the leaves surrounding it clean relatively easily.
Irrigation
Corn irrigation must be regular and with large amounts of water. The requirements of corn in water range from 440-800 liters of water per acre per growing season. According to agronomic studies drip irrigation can significantly reduce water wastage.
Corn rootworms - Prevention and Treatment
The largest enemy of corn is the insect Diabrotica (corn rootworm). This insect damages the root causing the plants to fall down. Specifically, its larvae hatch in the spring, feed and grow in the roots; later, adult insects attack the stalk of the plant and the flower. The most effective way to prevent the damage caused by the larvae is to change crop the next year. In case of infestation, adequate irrigation is required in order to compensate for the damaged roots and stalks. Approved insecticides may be applied in a granular form to the soil during sowing, and frequent application of insecticide by foliar spraying against adult insects.
