“After a slow start due to lower than average temperatures, maize growth is finally on the move. Compared to last year, sowing and establishment are much better this year and there are some very nice looking crops about,” says Robin Turner, Caussade’s maize specialist. “We now need a prolonged period of heat and sunshine to maximise growth.”
“We have been monitoring our barometer Duo CS Maize crops around the country, and they look promising with good plant populations and strong plants. The lower temperatures and available water has allowed the plants to develop good root systems. We are just at the stage where the plant is coming into the phase of rapid growth.
“Most maize plants will have produced six true leaves - and the potential for cob size, number of rows and numbers of grains per row is already set.
“From now on it is a question of the crop putting on mass and getting to the tasseling stage. Effective pollination will be determined by the weather at that stage, but the potential is there.
“In addition to the existing Duo CS Maize range, monitored by our barometer crops, we have two promising new Duo combinations under test and will be watching these with interest this season,” adds Dr Turner.
