Tillage in Maize Cultivation

The most important facts on tillage - for your success in maize cultivation!

So that the crops can exploit their full genetic potential, the soil must be in an optimal state for plant development. Thus, the tillage with all its different aspects is of particular importance.

KWS has compiled the most important aspects of tillage for you.

Source: KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

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1. The right pH-value - indispensable for your success!

Maintaining the “right” pH-value is essential for achieving high yields and qualities in the case of maize cultivation as well. The pH-value provides information on the lime supply of the soil. The lime requirement depends on the current pH-value, the humus content and the soil type. Early spring and pre-sowing fertilisation with fast-acting lime types have proven to be worth recommending (e.g., pre-seeding liming with 1.7 t CaO/ha).

The following pH-value targets should be aimed for:

Soil type	Target pH-value and maintenance liming (kg/ha CaO) depending upon the humus content					maximum lime input per year in kg/ha CaO
Soil type	up to 4%, low or medium humus content	4.1-8% high humus content	8.1-15% very high humus content	15.1-30% mucky	more than 30% Bog**	maximum lime input per year in kg/ha CaO
S	5.6 600	5.2 500	4.8 400	4.3 200	4.1 0	1000
IS, sU	6.0 900	5.6 800	5.2 700	4.8 300	-	1500
ssL, IU	6.4 1100	6.0 900	5.6 700	5.1 400	-	2000
sL, uL, L	6.8 1300	6.3 1100	5.8 900	5.2 500	-	3000
utL, tL, T	7.0 1600	6.5 1500	6.0 1200	5.4 600	-	4000

* The recommended lime quantities are based on a three-year crop rotation with moderate yield levels at 850 mm annual precipitation

** The lime recommendation for boggy locations are based on high moor; low moor sites generally have pH-values of 6 - 6.5 and do not require liming.

Source: LWK North Rhine-Westphalia

2. The right temperature does the trick - temperature requirements for maize

Temperature fluctuations are greater in light soils than in heavy soils. Especially cold periods in the young plant phase can permanently affect the development of the maize, particularly in the 6-8 leaf stage.

Possible consequences include:

Damage to maize crops
Irregular pollination
Fewer rows of maize per ear
Complete reduction of the main ear

When the first ear dies off, a second ear can be formed. However, the development of the second ear is delayed and therefore inadequate pollination may take place (lower crossover of male and female flowers). In extreme cases, a second ear is not formed, resulting in reduced yields.

Agronomic countermeasures:

Intact soils with good soil structure
Sufficient nutrient supply
Balanced nutrient content
Avoidance of herbicidal actions in the presence of high temperature fluctuations

Up to the 6-leaf stage, cold spells can cause temporary phosphate deficiency with violet discolourations. Negative effects on the yield are not feared concern.

In describing the suitability of the site for maize cultivation, average temperatures during the growth period and the heat sum are often used.

Suitability for cultivation of varieties of the various maturity groups depending on average temperatures and heat sums

	Average temp. September in °C		according to AGPM, basis 6°C
maturity group	Silage maize	Grain maize	Silage maize at % DM		Grain maize at % DM
early	12.5°C -	13.5 °C -	at 32% at 35%	1.450°C 1.500°C	at 65% -	1.600 °C -
moderately early	13.5 °C -	14.5 °C -	at 32% at 35%	1.490 °C 1.540 °C	at 65% -	1.650 °C -
moderately late	14.5 °C -	15.0 °C -	at 32% at 35%	1.530 °C 1.580 °C	at 65% -	1.670-1730 °C
late	15.5 °C	15.0 °C	at 32%	approx. 1.590 °C	at 70%	1.670-1730 °C

Source: our own Calculation according to AGPM 2017

3. Water requirement of maize

Compared with other crop plants, maize has a low water requirement for producing dry mass. Maize requires 300 L water to produce 1 kg dry mass. This value is also called the transpiration coefficient.

A compilation of the transpiration coefficients of the various crop types shows the different water requirements:

Transpiration coefficient (l water/kg TM)	Type of crops
200–300	Millet (sorghum)
300-400	Maize, beet
400–500	Barley, rye, durum wheat
500–600	Potato, sunflower, common wheat
600–700	Rapeseed, pea, field bean, oats

Source: BOKU [University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences] Vienna

Well nourished plants basically have a higher water acquisition capacity
Potassium is of particular significance, since it has a positive effect on the water balance of plants
Maize has the highest water requirement (up to 6 mm per m² and day) from plume emergence to milk development.

Through tilling, Variety selection, plant density, sowing date and Fertilisation production technology strategies against water stress can be applied.

Effects of water deficiency

Up to the start of flowering: Impairment of growth and ear formation
During flowering + hot spells: inadequate pollination
After pollination: Limitation of assimilate relocation to the grain

4. Nutrient removal and course of nutrient uptake in maize

Because of its slow development in young stages, maize has a late-starting nutrient requirement, but the total withdrawal is considerable because of the high yield potential. Since the yield predictions can come out quite differently based on the site-specific data, the required nutrient quantities also exhibit considerable variability.

Nutrient matter (kg/ha per 10 dt grain maize [86% DM] or 100 dt silage maize fresh mass [28 % DM]:

	Silage maize (28% DM)	Grain maize (86% DM)
Nutrient	per 100 dt fresh mass	Grains (10 dt)	Straw (10 dt)
Nitrogen (N)	30-40	12-16	5-9
Phosphate (P₂0₅)	15-25	6-11	5-7
Potassium (K₂0)	35-50	4-6	15-25
Magnesium (MgO)	7-13	2-3	2-4
Lime (CaO)	10-18	2-3	5-7
Sulphur (S)	3.5	-	-

Source: From Früchtenicht et al., 1993

In addition to these average values for nutrient withdrawal, the following aspects are important:

The nutrient requirement fluctuates greatly depending on the specific circumstances and predicted yield
Adequate supply of micronutrients
Soil testing results

In addition to the principal nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, magnesium, calcium), the addition of sulphur and micronutrients will also be discussed. The sulphur and nitrogen requirements are closely associated, since these two are bound in the plant protein in a 1:10 ratio. Therefore mineral fertilisation with sulphur is reasonable, e.g., with SSA in the underfoot fertiliser. One positive side effect is the acidifying effect of SSA, resulting in an increase in pH-value availability in soils with high pH-values. To prevent damage to the small maize plants, sulphur as an underfoot fertiliser should be placed no less than 5 cm below and 5 cm to the side of the grain.

Recommended fertilisation

The level of fertilisation depends on the nutrient content of the soil and the expected yield level. A fertilisation plan according to the Fertilisation Ordinance is to be executed for each campaign. The table below provides reference values:

Type	Quantity (kg/ha)	Application time
Nitrogen fertilisation (N)	140-220	before sowing, underfoot, before or after sprouting
Phosphate fertilisation P₂0₅	40-80	underfoot
Potassium fertilisation K₂0	200-250	before sowing (spring, fall)
Sulphur fertilisation	30-40	before sowing, underfoot, before or after sprouting
Magnesium fertilisation	40-70	before sowing, underfoot, before or after sprouting

Source: KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

The time of maximum nutrient removal extends from about 10-15 days before flowering to 25-30 days after flowering. During this period 85% of the nitrogen requirement, 73% of the phosphate requirement and 96% of the potassium requirement are absorbed. Nitrogen and phosphate are also still being withdrawn during ear ripening. The potassium uptake is completed by then.

Do you want more information on the topic of Fertilisation? KWS has compiled some aspects for you.

Course of nutrient uptake (statements in percent)

Source: Herrmann, 2010

Stage	N	P₂0₅	K₂0	MgO	S
to 4-leaf stage	2%	1%	4%	3%	2%
4-leaf stage to drying of the silk	85 %	73%	96%	78%	85 %
Ear ripeness	13%	26%	0%	19%	13%

Course of nutrient uptake

Source: our own presentation based on Herrmann, 2010

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