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Key Points for Successful Crop Establishment
Order seed that has been treated with Opticoat~ZM to ensure timely drilling and establishment. Select a variety that will reach the optimum whole plant dry matter of 28-32% at the desitred harvest date.
- Maize performs best on lighter land with deep soils which have an adequate moisture supply. Ideally the site should be sheltered to ensure strong and steady growth throughout the Spring. Exposed, north facing fields are best avoided.
- Ensure that the soil is free from any compaction or restriction to plant root growth in the previous autumn. Any limitation of nutrient or water uptake due to compaction will severely affect crop yield.
- If spreading slurry or manures apply when soil conditions allow spreading without tyres sinking or causing ruts as this compaction will be directly in the plants root zone during establishment.
- Ensure there is sufficient nutrient supply from organic manures or inorganic fertilisers as nutrient deficits can severely affect crop yields.
- Produce a fine, firm and even seed bed using the minimum number ofcultivations to minimise the risk of seedbed compaction or loss of seedbed moisture.
- Reduce placed mono-ammonium phosphate fertiliser at drilling to 60kg/ha to enhance early corp growth and optimise crop yield.
- Drill an Opticoat~ZM treated variety to ensure good establishment and early growth. The use of Opticoat~ZM provides an efficient route for plant nutrient uptake fo the essential trace elements Zinc and Manganese.
- Drilling should never occur until soil temperatures at seed depth has averaged over 8-10c for a minimum of four days, usually the first week of May.
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