Corn is mainly grown in spring and summer corn, i.e. there is a distinction between spring sowing and summer sowing.
Spring corn is usually sown around the rainy season, and the seedlings in the fields should be almost at their knees by now. Summer corn, on the other hand, is sown in mid-June after the wheat harvest, and now is the time to sow summer corn.
So how long does it take for corn to germinate?
There are many factors that affect corn germination, including temperature, humidity, whether the seeds are germinated or not, and the characteristics of the seeds themselves.
Generally speaking, if all conditions are normal, the germination time of summer corn should be 3-5 days.
Recommend you to read “Is corn good for you? The 12 benefits of corn“
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT CORN GERMINATION?
MOISTURE
Corn germinates normally when it absorbs 48%-50% of the dry weight of the seed.
When 5-10CM (2-4inch) soil layer, the soil moisture is 60% of the maximum water holding capacity in the field can meet the needs of seed germination.
The soil moisture is about 70% of the maximum field water holding capacity, the seedling emergence is fast and the seedling emergence rate is high.
The soil moisture reaches more than 80% of the field water holding capacity, it is easy to rot the seeds and affect the seedling emergence because of excessive soil moisture and insufficient air.
TEMPERATURE
Corn seeds generally begin to germinate at 6°C-7°C (43°F-44.5°F), but germination is extremely slow and susceptible to disease infestation and even rotten seeds and seedlings.
Germination is more appropriate at 10°C-12°C (50°F-53°F), fastest at 25°C-35°C (77°F-95°F), and unfavorable at over 40°C (104°F).
Therefore, a stable ground temperature of 10°C-12°C (50°F-53°F) in the 5-10 cm soil layer is considered a suitable seeding period for spring corn.
The temperature level has a great influence on the speed of seedling emergence. At 10°C-12°C (50°F-53°F), seedlings generally emerge 18-20 days after sowing.
At 15°C-18°C (59°F-64°F), seedlings emerge in 8-10 days; at 20°C-35°C (77°F-95°F), seedlings emerge in 5-6 days and have the highest rate of emergence; above 40°C (104°F), seedlings stop developing.
OXYGEN
Oxygen is necessary for seed germination. Corn seeds have large embryos with high-fat content and require more oxygen to germinate and break down the fat.
In general, the oxygen content of the soil can fully meet the needs of corn seed germination and seedling emergence.
However, if the soil is too wet, or sowing too deep, or after sowing in the rain soil caking, etc., will cause insufficient oxygen, so that the emergence time is extended, the consumption of nutrients increased, the seedlings thin.
SOIL PROPERTIES
Different soils have different effects on corn seedling emergence. Generally, loamy soil is easier to emerge than heavy clay soil, the seeding rate is high.
Saline soil due to low soil temperature and high salinity content, affecting the absorption of water, and other vital activities of seeds, germination, and seedling emergence are slow. When the soil salt content reaches 0.6%, germination is very difficult.
HOW TO SHORTEN THE GERMINATION TIME OF CORN TO ENSURE THE SEEDING RATE?
As the saying goes, “the spring day must contend, the summertime must contend”, the reason why the earlier the corn is sown, the better, the purpose is to ensure the growth cycle of corn, if the seeds can be quickly germinated seedlings can also fight out some valuable growth time.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SEEDS
The selection of corn seeds is very important. When choosing seeds, pay attention to the quality of the seeds that are uniform in size and free of mold.
Now on the market regular stores sell seeds of good quality, specific what areas are suitable for what kind of seeds local dealers know better, this article would like to remind you not to be cheap to buy poor quality seeds, moldy seeds.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the lower dial period has reached the fastest seedling temperature, there is nothing more to say about this.
ENSURE SOIL MOISTURE
As the summer sowing time is relatively tight, so should not wait for rain sowing, according to the soil moisture can be decided by itself, the poor moisture plots can be watered in advance, or after the sowing of the water montages.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE SOWING DEPTH AND SEGREGATION OF SEED AND FERTILIZER
The best sowing depth is 3-5 cm, if you want to water the head, 3 cm is enough. In addition, pay attention to the separation of seeds and fertilizers, too close to the seeds may be “burned” and other situations, affecting the germination time and germination rate.
