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Sowing and features of corn cultivation technology in Ukraine

Sowing and features of corn cultivation technology in Ukraine

30.04.2026 Advice for farmers

In Ukraine, the spring sowing season for field crops is actively beginning. Optimal sowing dates fall in the period when the soil is sufficiently warmed, which ensures uniform emergence and effective plant development. Among the wide range of spring crops, farmers traditionally pay special attention to corn as one of the most productive and economically important crops; therefore, it is appropriate to consider in more detail the features of its sowing and cultivation technology.

Corn is one of the most valuable forage crops. In terms of grain yield, it surpasses all cereal crops. Corn grain is used for food purposes. More than 150 food and industrial products are made from it: flour, groats, starch, flakes, etc.

History and distribution. Corn is one of the oldest crops, originating from Central and South America. It was the main food crop for the local population. In Europe, corn became known at the end of the 15th century. In 1500, Christopher Columbus brought seeds to Spain, the city of Seville. In Ukraine, corn arrived through Crimea in the 17th century and remained poorly widespread for a long time. According to another version, corn came from Moldova, spread in the Odesa region, and gradually expanded across southern Ukraine.

The root system of corn is fibrous, highly developed, and has five types of roots. The seed germinates with a single primary root. The stem is strong and has up to 22 or more internodes and the same number of leaves. The leaves are large, with wide and long leaf blades. The edges of the blades grow faster than the middle, which makes the leaves wavy, increasing their surface area. Leaves are arranged alternately and therefore do not shade each other. The number of leaves depends on the maturity group of the hybrids. It ranges from 10–12 in early-maturing hybrids to up to 40 in late-maturing ones. Corn has two types of inflorescences: a tassel with male flowers and an ear with female flowers. The tassel consists of a central axis and lateral branches; spikelets are two-flowered and arranged in pairs. The tassel produces 4–10 pollen grains that are carried by the wind. The ear develops from a bud located in the leaf axil. Externally, it is covered with husks made of modified leaves. The ear consists of a core, thick spikelet glumes, and thin floral glumes. The flower has a pistil consisting of an ovary, a long thread-like style, and a small bifurcated stigma. Favorable conditions for pollination are warm, humid weather with a light wind. In rainy weather, pollen is washed away, while excessive dryness destroys it. The fruit is a caryopsis, and one ear contains on average 500–600 kernels.

Biological characteristics. An important factor in effective corn cultivation is its biological features. Corn is a heat-loving crop. The minimum germination temperature is 8–10°C, although some hybrids can germinate at 5–6°C (for example: Pioneer, KWS). Corn seedlings emerge at 10–12°C. When seeds are sown in cold soil (below 8°C), germination is very slow, swollen seeds do not emerge, and field germination is significantly reduced. At the 2–3 leaf stage, plants can tolerate frosts down to -2°C. At -3°C, corn seedlings die. During the summer growing period, at 14–15°C plant growth slows down, and at 10°C it stops completely. At the seedling stage and during tasseling, the optimal temperature for growth and development is 20–23°C. Before the formation of generative organs, temperatures of 25–30°C do not harm corn. During flowering, temperatures above 25°C negatively affect pollination and fertilization.

An important factor in effective corn cultivation is its biological characteristics, which determine the length of the growing season and the rate of plant development. Based on this, all corn hybrids are divided into maturity groups according to the FAO index. The FAO index of corn is a conventional indicator that characterizes the maturity group of corn hybrids and reflects the duration of their growing season from emergence to full maturity. It is used to classify hybrids and helps select them according to soil and climatic conditions.

Maturity group	FAO	Vegetation period	Sum of active temperatures	Sum of average effective daily temperatures
Early-maturing varieties	100-200	90-100	2200	800-900
Medium-early varieties	201-300	100-115	2400	1100
Mid-season varieties	301-400	115-120	2600	1170
Medium-late varieties	401-500	120-130	2800	1210
Late-maturing varieties	501-600	130-140	3000	1250-1300

An important role in corn cultivation is played by its requirements for moisture, light, and soil conditions. Their optimal combination determines plant growth, development, and yield formation.

Moisture requirements

Corn is considered a drought-tolerant crop. Thanks to its well-developed root system, the plant uses moisture from a larger area and deeper soil layers. During the growing season, corn requires 450–600 mm of precipitation. 1 mm of precipitation can provide the possibility of obtaining 20 kg of grain per hectare. It is less demanding for moisture in the first half of the growing season. Until the 7–8 leaf stage, moisture stress is rarely observed. The greatest need for moisture occurs 10 days before tasseling, when intensive stem growth takes place. This period accounts for about 40–70% of total water consumption. Twenty days after tasseling, the need for moisture decreases.

Corn poorly tolerates waterlogging of the soil, which sharply reduces yield. This leads to oxygen deficiency in the soil, slows phosphorus uptake by roots, and worsens protein metabolism.

Light requirements

Corn is a light-loving short-day plant. It does not tolerate shading well. Photosynthesis in corn occurs via the highly efficient tropical C4 pathway. Under long-day conditions, vegetative mass increases intensively, while grain productivity decreases.

Plants develop faster under an 8–9 hour photoperiod. With a 12–14 hour day length, maturation is delayed. Corn requires more solar energy than other cereals.

Soil requirements

High yields are obtained on clean, well-aerated soils with a deep humus layer. Corn is moderately demanding in terms of soil fertility and grows well on most soil types with proper cultivation and fertilization.

The optimal soil reaction is neutral or slightly acidic (pH 5.5–7.0). Cold, waterlogged, acidic, heavy clay, sandy, saline, and peat soils (often deficient in copper) are unsuitable.

Cultivation technology

Corn can be grown as a monoculture. However, monoculture leads to deterioration of phytosanitary conditions, namely the spread of pests, diseases, weeds, and herbicide-resistant species. This requires intensified protection against harmful organisms, especially the corn borer.

In areas with insufficient moisture, it is not recommended to sow corn after crops that dry out the soil deeply, such as sugar beet and sunflower. It is also not advisable to sow after millet to prevent the spread of a common pest — the corn borer.

Corn is a good precursor for cereal and legume crops. In recent years, sowing winter wheat after early corn hybrids has been practiced. However, there is an increased risk of root rot and Fusarium head blight in wheat.

Soil cultivation

In herbicide-free corn cultivation technology, primary soil tillage is of great importance. It is carried out considering the previous crop, soil type, relief, and weed infestation level.

In areas with sufficient moisture and weed infestation, semi-fallow tillage is effective. After early predecessors (cereals, legumes), the soil is disked to a depth of 6–8 cm immediately after harvesting. Mineral fertilizers are applied, and plowing is carried out at a depth of 27–30 cm to ensure proper root development.

The main task of pre-sowing tillage is to preserve soil moisture, eliminate weeds, and create favorable conditions for seed germination and uniform emergence. Pre-sowing tillage is carried out to the depth of seed placement: 4–6 cm on heavy soils and 6–8 cm on light soils.

Fertilization

Nitrogen has the greatest impact on yield level. At early growth stages, nitrogen uptake is low (3–5%). Reduced uptake caused by low spring temperatures leads to yellowing and growth inhibition. Nitrogen uptake intensifies from the 6–8 leaf stage. Corn forms a large biomass, therefore it has a high demand for nutrients, especially nitrogen. Nitrogen deficiency results in stunted plants with small light-green leaves. The critical period of nitrogen uptake is flowering.
Phosphorus is absorbed in smaller amounts than nitrogen or potassium. It is especially important in two phases. At early growth stages, phosphorus supports root development and nutrient uptake. It is involved in nucleic acid formation, energy metabolism, and photosynthesis. The second critical phase is the formation of reproductive organs. Phosphorus deficiency causes purple leaf coloration and delays flowering and maturity.
Potassium is actively absorbed from the 5–6 leaf stage until flowering. It increases resistance to lodging, stem rot, and diseases, and is important for ear formation. Potassium deficiency slows growth, reduces photosynthesis, and causes yellowing of leaves.
During corn sowing, MAKOSH offers mineral granular fertilizers. If there is sufficient potassium in the soil, MAKOSH NPK 12:24:12 + 8.5S is an ideal starter fertilizer. It is enriched with sulfur for optimal metabolism. Sulfur deficiency suppresses protein formation, reduces chlorophyll content, and slows growth. If potassium is insufficient, MAKOSH NPK 7:21:21 + S + Zn is recommended. It ensures stable supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. Corn also responds well to foliar feeding.
Zinc is an essential micronutrient involved in chlorophyll synthesis and growth processes. Its deficiency causes yellow stripes on young leaves. MAKOSH Zn 8 is applied at 4–6 leaf stages and later at 8+ leaves, at 1–2 L/ha.
Boron positively affects flowering and ear formation. Its deficiency slows plant growth. Makosh B11 contains 11% boron with a density of 1.37 kg/L. Application rate is 1–2 L/ha.

Sowing

Under optimal conditions, seedlings emerge in 7–8 days. In cold weather, emergence may take up to three weeks. Corn for grain and silage is sown when soil temperature at 10 cm depth reaches 10–12°C.

Cold-resistant hybrids can be sown earlier at 8–10°C for three days. Dent hybrids require 8–10°C minimum, while flint hybrids can be sown at 6–8°C.

Sowing depth

In forest-steppe and Polissia zones, seeds are placed at 4–6 cm. On light soils and drying seedbeds — 5–8 cm. On wet soils — 3–4 cm. In western regions, early hybrids may be sown at 2–3 cm. In dry steppe regions, depth is 6–10 cm. Optimal depth is 5 cm; deviation by 1 cm may reduce yield by 10–20%.

Uniform sowing depth is essential for even emergence and is ensured by proper soil leveling and planter calibration.

Seeding rate

Recommended plant density in Ukraine ranges from 50–90 thousand plants/ha at harvest. Early hybrids may reach 85–95 thousand plants/ha or more. Modern hybrids allow higher densities due to compact plant structure and a single ear per plant.

Conclusion

Corn is one of the key high-yield crops in Ukraine. Successful cultivation depends on biological characteristics and adherence to technology. Optimal sowing time, soil temperature, proper cultivation, balanced fertilization, and correct plant density ensure uniform emergence and high yield formation. An integrated approach considering soil-climatic conditions and hybrid selection is the basis of efficient and economically viable corn production.

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