"Queen of the fields" corn is considered one of the most popular crops in the food and agricultural industries. Sweet varieties are in great demand at any time of the year and are a favorite treat for many. The value of this plant is greatly enhanced by the simplicity of its cultivation and undemanding conditions. What is useful for sweet corn and what is the agricultural technique of its cultivation on open soil, let's understand.

Sweet corn

Corn is an annual grassy crop up to 1.5–3 m high, whose homeland is the subtropical regions of America, in particular Mexico. Corn cobs are used as food, stalks are used to feed animals, stigmas and “hair” are used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of medicines. The stalk of the plant is of medium thickness, the leaves are long, wide, linear-lanceolate, dark green in color.During flowering, two types of flowers are formed on the stem: male - mature on apical panicles, female - located in the buds. One or two cobs 5–50 cm long and 2–10 cm wide ripen on one stalk, depending on the type and environmental conditions. The weight of one head of cabbage can vary from 30 to 500 g. Sweet corn has a wide range of useful qualities, which are due to its unique biological composition.

Did you know? Sugar varieties of corn are cultivated artificially, since in natural conditions the vegetable in this form does not occur.

The vegetable is rich:

• a group of vitamins B;
• ascorbic acid and vitamin PP;
• copper;
• phosphorus;
• molybdenum;
• potassium;
• magnesium
• iodine.

In addition, corn contains a high percentage of fiber, easily digestible by the human body. The composition of the plant is so harmonious and balanced that it is suitable for people with a tendency to allergic reactions and obesity.

The calorie content of 100 g of the product is 1001 kcal, while the BZHU presents:

• proteins - 3.5 g;
• fats - 2.8 g;
• carbohydrates - 15.6 g.

The complex of nutrients on the cob of the culture allows you to adjust the digestive system, normalize metabolic processes, maintain them at the level necessary for normal human life.

Sugar Corn Classification

Despite the fact that varieties of sweet corn do not have an officially accepted classification for today, they can be conditionally divided into several subspecies, depending on the percentage of sugar content:

• standard - the sugar content ranges from 5-10%;
• improved - with a percentage of 10-15%;
• super sweet - with a sugar composition of from 20 to 30%.

Each subspecies of the vegetable has its own characteristics and properties. Standard corn belongs to early ripening species and is grown at a temperature of + 10 ... + 13 ° С. Improved for good growth, it needs temperature indicators of + 13 ... + 16 ° C, and the super-sweet feels comfortable at a temperature of at least + 16 ° C.

In addition, the latter is characterized by a reduced content of nutrients, a low coefficient of similarity and the rate of germination.

How is sweet corn different from regular

The main difference between sweet corn and fodder is its composition, that is, the percentage of sugar content. A typical sugar culture contains 5–10% sugar, while feed contains much less sugar. Such parameters determine the taste of vegetables: sugar has a pleasant, honey taste, soft and juicy texture; feed - tough, without a pronounced sugar taste.In addition, sweet varieties are more whimsical to the growing conditions, mature well in the southern regions, where a warm climate prevails and temperature indicators are kept at + 21 ... + 27 ° С in the daytime, + 14 ... + 16 ° С - at night. For the cultivation of forage species, a temperate climate, an average level of humidity and nutrient soils are suitable.

The benefits and harms of sweet corn

The rich, well-balanced composition of sweet corn determines a number of its beneficial qualities. On the cob there is a whole complex of vitamin-mineral components that allow you to establish and improve the functioning of many body systems. The presence of a large amount of fiber has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, improves digestion, and accelerates metabolic processes.

It has a laxative effect, improves gastrointestinal motility, cleanses the body of toxins and harmful substances. Due to the high content of starchy components, the vegetable is directly involved in the formation of muscle and nervous tissue. Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system, increase the protective functions of the body, a group of vitamins B - normalizes the state of the nervous system, activates the brain, improves memory, relieves nervousness, insomnia and depression.Regular consumption of corn allows women to establish a hormonal background, it is easier to tolerate menopause, and men can improve their sex life, increase potency, and normalize the stable functioning of urogenital organs. In addition, corn, due to its rich mineral composition, perfectly affects the teeth, strengthens the gums, relieves bleeding. However, corn, like other vegetables, is not capable of having absolute benefits.

• Contraindications to the use of the product are:
• peptic ulcer, gastritis with high acidity, other erosive damage to the intestinal mucosa during an exacerbation;
• increased blood coagulation, thrombophlebitis;
• reduced weight. Since corn is a nutritious product and quickly causes a feeling of fullness, it is not recommended to use it with a small body weight, so as not to reduce the consumption of other products;
• individual intolerance to vegetables.

In addition to the benefits for humans, this cereal is widely used as a raw material for the production of medicines, the manufacture of corn oil.

The sweetest varieties and hybrids of sugar corn for growing from seeds

There are a large number of varieties of sweet corn, however, the most popular ones that take root well in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus are few.

Bonduelle

Speaking about the varieties of sweet corn, many consumers recall the delicious, nutritious, sugar vegetable “Bonduelle”. However, not everyone knows that this name is the name of a company producing canned corn, and not one of the varieties of the crop. The central capacities of the Bonduelle-Kuban brand are concentrated in the Krasnodar Territory, in the Russian Federation. The company uses the Spirit and Bonus maize varieties grown in the southern regions of the state for canned foods that consumers love.

Dobrynya

Dobrynya is a hybrid member of the early varieties, which is able to please the crop 2.5 months after sowing. The plant is of medium growth, reaches a height of 1.7 m, while the heads of cabbage begin to form at a height of 70 cm. The fruits of Dobrynia are large, succulent, consist of 16-18 rows of seeds, have an increased percentage of sucrose. Ears perfectly tolerate freezing, do not lose nutritional value. The plant is characterized by unpretentiousness in growing, high resistance to diseases, the ability to grow and bear fruit on almost any soil.

Gourmet

Gourmet is an early variety, the ripening period of which varies between 70–75 days. The main advantages of the variety are excellent resistance to ailments and parasites, as well as high productivity. The plant grows to 1.8 m, and forms large cylindrical-shaped fruits 22 cm long, consisting of 18–22 rows of grains. The fruit weighs 180–50 g. It tastes sweet and very juicy. Harvested corn of this variety during its milk ripeness. Used for canning, freezing, cooking various dishes.

Video: gourmet corn

Megaton F1

Megaton F1 is a super-sweet variety with a mid-season ripening period of 85–95 days. The plant has an impressive height, on the stem ripening cobs up to 25 cm long. The fruits have a golden color, very sweet and delicate in taste. Megaton's advantages are its high productivity, unpretentiousness in cultivation, resistance to such ailments as corn mosaic, helminthosporiasis, fusarium. It is used as products for the fresh market or conservation.

Video: corn megaton f1

Morning song F1

The morning song F1 is an early ripe, unpretentious hybrid in growing, which pleases with its first fruits in 70–74 days. The culture can reach a height of up to 1.5 m. The ears have a cylindrical shape, long - about 17 cm, weighing 190–210 g, and consist of 12–14 rows of grains. Grains are characterized by remarkable taste, have a juicy, soft and delicate structure. This variety is recommended for the preparation of preserves or for boiled consumption.

Arcon F1

Arcon F1 is an ultra-hybrid hybrid of super-sweet corn, the main advantage of which is its high resistance to weather conditions, which is very important during early spring planting. The crop matures early, 68–70 days after planting. In the process of growth, two full-fledged cobs mature on a stem 1.7–1.8 m high. Fruits are 22–25 cm long, densely covered with a layer of dark green, elastic leaves. Arcon grains are used fresh or as raw materials for the production of canned blanks.

Video: Corn Arcon F1

Early gold

Early Golden - a plant of early ripening. The first fruits can be harvested as early as 85–90 days after sowing. The hybrid is characterized by low growth power and excellent resistance to fungal diseases. On a low stalk, compact small cobs are formed, about 19 cm long and weighing 200 g. The fruits have a pleasant taste: rich golden color, grains are juicy, sweet, with a soft, melting texture. Ears of culture are ideal for conservation. Can be used for freezing.

Vega F1

Vega is a super-sweet, early ripe representative of Ukrainian selection. The vegetation period of the plant is 70–75 days. During ripening, two full-sized, medium-sized fruits are formed on the stem — 22–25 cm, with 18–20 rows of grains. The cobs are characterized by a high sugar content and a pleasant, sugar, delicate taste. Among the main advantages of the hybrid can be distinguished: quick ripening, high productivity, low cost and ease of cultivation. In most cases, Vega is sold fresh in the market. However, it lends itself well to freezing and is suitable for the preparation of preservation.

Baron F1

The Baron refers to super-early, super-sweet hybrids that mature 61–67 days after planting. The culture has a strong, strong stem 1.8–1.9 m high, on which two well-made cobs grow 20–22 cm long and weigh 300–350 g. The hybrid is super sweet with an average sugar content of 15–16%.

The fruits of the plant are large, dense, with grains of a dark yellow color, which is considered a distinctive feature of the variety. Baron has resistance to lodging, high resistance to viral and fungal ailments. Fruits are used fresh for freezing or preservation.

Spirit

Spirit is a mid-season variety that is distinguished by the presence of tender, juicy and very sweet fruits. Heads ripen 90-100 days after planting. The main advantage of Spirit is the high content of polysaccharides in grains. The plant can reach a height of 2.1 m, the fruit size is 22 cm. Corn grains are large, juicy, fleshy in structure, extremely sweet, soft, have a golden color. The hybrid has high resistance to viral and fungal ailments, as well as rot. Used boiled or for canning.

Video: corn spirit

Ice nectar

Glacial nectar is one of the sweetest varieties. It refers to plants with a late ripening period, which give the first fruits after 130-140 days. The height of the culture reaches 1.8 m, and the length of the heads of cabbage is 20–25 cm. The fruit tastes sweet, juicy, with a delicate texture.

Important! To preserve the sugar content of the fruit, experts advise planting ice nectar away from other varieties in order to avoid cross pollination.

Surprisingly, due to the high content of polysaccharides in the composition of grains, they are allowed to be consumed raw. Corn of this variety tops the ranking of varieties by yield.

Sundance

Sundance is a low-growing variety, the ripening of which begins 70–90 days after planting. On each bush grows up to two heads of cabbage, no more than 20 cm long and 5.5 cm in diameter. The fruits of the plant are heads of cabbage, with elongated bright yellow grains, which have a pleasant, sugar taste.

Did you know? Sweetcorn is really only fresh sugar. Already after 6 hours after its collection, it loses the percentage of sweetness by almost half, since sugar is converted into starch.

Corn of this variety is used for the preparation of canned preparations or for cooking.

Growing technology

The technology for growing varieties of sweet corn is practically no different from growing cereals. However, to obtain a high, high-quality crop, it is recommended to observe several important rules for planting and further care.

Rules for planting and care in the open ground

For the cultivation of a sugar vegetable, it is necessary to choose nutritious, loose soils with an acidity level of at least 5. Since corn is a hygrophilous crop, experts advise loosening the soil in autumn so that it accumulates enough moisture during the winter season. In the spring, immediately before planting, the land should be cultivated with a cultivator, and mineral and organic fertilizing should be applied, in particular humus or compost.

When planting grains, you need to adhere to several important principles:

• sowing work should be carried out no earlier than mid-May, when the earth warmed up well, and the likelihood of night frost was minimized;
• it is recommended to carefully prepare the seed material before sowing: put it in the sun for 4–5 days, then soak it for one hour in cool water. Such events will "harden" the seeds and activate their growth;
• seeds need to be sown according to the scheme of 60x30 cm, laying 2-3 seeds in one hole, deepening them into the soil by 5 cm;
• after emergence, they should be thinned out, leaving one of the largest and strongest plants;
• emerged seedlings must be covered with a film to protect against possible night frosts.

Further seedling care is traditional and consists in the implementation of such procedures:

• regular loosening of the soil;
• weed harvesting;
• moisturizing crops and watering;
• crop processing from pests.

It is especially important to pay attention to the hydration of corn during the ripening of cobs, since the taste of the fruit, their juiciness and tenderness will directly depend on the degree of soil moisture. Experts recommend the need for moisture control over the state of the soil and categorically prevent its complete drying out.

One plant on average needs 2-3 liters of water, which should not be cold. After 5–6 full-fledged leaves are formed on the stems, fertilizers should be applied, in which case potassium-based products will be the best option.

Important! Sweet corn negatively relates to transplantation, therefore, experts advise to grow the plant in seedlings if absolutely necessary, carefully observing that the root processes are not damaged.

If the leaves turn yellow or lose their color, the plant needs to be fed with nitrogen complexes. The second top dressing is introduced at the beginning of the formation of the peduncle. Fertilizers should be applied in the form of solutions, combining the procedure with watering. Experts also advise breaking off side shoots on the crop, as they inhibit the development and growth of ears.

Video: Corn Planting Rules

Growing on drip irrigation

Since the root system of sweet corn is poorly developed compared to the feed, it needs constant moist soil and recharge. That is why in the southern steppe regions with a dry, hot climate, experts advise cultivating the culture on continuous drip irrigation, which makes it possible to distribute a certain amount of water evenly directly under the root, thereby contributing to the full growth and development of the plant.

To ensure the proper level of humidity per 1 ha, about 3,500–8,000 cubic meters will be required. water, depending on weather conditions. It is necessary to carry out drip irrigation at night or during a period of not too high solar activity in order to avoid excessive drying of the soil due to evaporation of moisture. One of the main advantages of drip irrigation is the timeliness of applying the necessary fertilizers in periods critical for the plant.For example, during the growing season corn needs potash and nitrogen supplements, at the beginning of its growth and during the formation of grains, it needs phosphorus. Drop watering allows you to instantly feed corn with appropriate preparations. The competent organization of this type of irrigation contributes to a high crop yield and, as a result, high profitability of the event.

How to deal with sugarcorn diseases

Subject to crop rotation processes, the use of processed seed, timely weeding and sanitation of corn, diseases and pests are not terrible.

However, if one of these points is violated, the plant can undergo various ailments, among which the most common are:

1. Gray rot. The stalk and cobs of culture are striking, dark spots are formed on them, as a result of which their development slows down. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure the plant in this case, it must be burned. Next year, the place for planting corn needs to be changed or the soil should be shed with fungicidal preparations.
2. Fusarium. The disease is fungal in nature and manifests itself in the form of a light coating on the fruits. As a result of the action of the fungus, the cobs begin to rot. Sick plants must be removed and burned.
3. Rust. Such a fungal disease is easily recognized by the red spots that occur on the underside of the leaf plate. You can prevent the disease by treating seedlings with fungicides.
4. Helminthosporiosis. It appears as brown spots from the bottom, and then from the top of the leaf. On the heads of cabbage between the grains, a dark-brown coating is formed. When the root system is damaged, the plant withers and dies.

To prevent ailments, experts advise regularly inspecting the plant for damage - rot and dry leaves, the presence of parasites. The culture should also be treated with modern fungicidal preparations.

When to collect sweetcorn

Harvesting sugar should be carried out when it is in the stage of milk ripeness, because it is then that the taste of its grains is the most saturated, sweet and gentle. During this period, the cobs of the plant must be collected, and the seeds put into processing - pickle, boil, preserve. To establish the exact time of harvesting, experts recommend counting 20-25 days from the end of the flowering period of the crop.

Important! Torn heads of cabbage need to be processed immediately, because after 5-6 hours they lose their “sugar” value by half.

In addition, the readiness of the plant for collection can be determined by the following characteristics:

• the top layer of wrapping sheets from above begins to dry at the edges and tightly snugs the ear;
• corn fibers become brown, but still not completely dry;
• grains in a head close to each other;
• all grains, including the upper ones, have a uniform yellow color;
• the tops of the seeds are dense, round, elastic, without wrinkling.

In most cases, the harvesting period falls at the beginning of August, but at high temperatures throughout the summer, corn can ripen 2-3 weeks earlier. It is recommended that the cobs be plucked in the morning, when they are filled with moisture and a high level of polysaccharides. As a rule, the harvest is used fresh, pickled for further use in various recipes for the winter, canned.

What is the yield of corn from 1 ha

With high-quality agricultural technology and compliance with all the rules for caring for corn from one hectare of land for one season, you can collect from 45 to 70 quintals of early ripening products. Varieties with an average ripening period are able to please an average yield of up to 50 centners per 1 ha of soil.

Did you know? Under the influence of sunlight, the percentage of sugar content in grains decreases, but is quickly restored at night.

Sweet corn is one of the favorite foods in the summer, which adults and children alike love to feast on. The plant has a high nutritional value, contains a number of useful substances that contribute to the normalization of the functioning of many body systems. By regularly consuming corn, you can not only get a pleasant taste, but also improve the body.