Corn seeds: the best varieties, how to collect and store properly

Corn has long been a familiar crop that is planted for various purposes. Corn seeds are bought in specialized stores or harvested independently. The future harvest directly depends on the correct collection and storage of planting material.

Which seeds to choose?

Having found the ideal variety of corn that is suitable for growing climatic conditions and gives a stable yield, it is imperative to prepare planting material for planting next year. This will ensure next year's harvest. Saving seeds is very simple, you just need to follow simple rules.

When planting corn, it should be taken into account that the crop belongs to cross-pollinated plants. This means that for the purity of the variety, the plant is not recommended to be planted next to other crops, especially fodder crops. This is necessary so that two types of crops do not accidentally pollinate. If this happens, then the likelihood of deterioration in varietal qualities is high.

Hybrid seeds of any variety of corn cannot be used to collect planting material. Usually belonging to hybrids is indicated on the package with seeds labeled F1. These seeds may sprout and sprout, but are unlikely to be as large as the previous year.

During the cultivation of crops, you must follow the simple rules of agricultural technology. It is important to regularly apply mineral and organic top dressings, prepare seeds and soil in advance for planting. This will ensure high yields.

In the first months after the sprouts begin to sprout, they need to be given more attention. Periodically inspect and treat with herbicides at the first sign of damage.

Following these rules, it will be possible to collect corn seeds for future plantings. If you use planting material from the largest cobs, you will be able to grow a good harvest next year.

Maize seeds should only be harvested from the he althiest cobs. To collect grains for a summer cottage, you need only two cobs. Although one is enough, the second is needed for safety net. It is recommended to use cobs located closer to the top of the plant. The remaining ovaries are removed so that they do not consume nutrients.

Best varieties to plant

Before you go to the store and buy planting material for corn, it is important to study the description of the selected varieties. If hybrids were purchased, then it will not be possible to use the seeds for subsequent plantings. This factor should be taken into account. The best varieties for planting are:

Anasta is a hybrid that belongs to varieties with a medium early ripening period of cobs. The ripening period is from 90 to 95 days after planting. Due to its resistance to low temperatures, planting begins in early spring. It is not adapted to high temperatures, so the hybrid is not planted in the southern regions. The yield is stable.
Clarika is a mid-season variety, the crop ripening period is from 90 days after sowing. The main characteristic is adaptability to high temperatures. Therefore, Clarica is often planted several times in one season. Bushes of medium height, powerful rhizome. The forest-steppe and steppe areas are considered the best place for growing.
Sterling - is considered one of the most common fodder varieties of maize. Plant height reaches an average of up to 2.5 m. Bushes are strongly leafy, for which Sterling is valued in agriculture.It is resistant to spider mites, powdery mildew, olive blotch and other crop diseases. For active growth, fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers is necessary.
Dnepropetrovsk 247 MV is a hybrid that is most resistant to lodging. The stems reach a height of up to 3 m, the yield is high. Landings tolerate a sharp drop in temperature and prolonged cold.
Partisan - the height of the stem reaches 2 m. The stems and leaves contain a large amount of starch and fat. Due to the high nutritional value and high content of juices in the deciduous mass, it is especially valued among livestock breeders.
Pioneer F1 is a hybrid characterized by a short cob maturity. It is used to collect grains and to feed animals. The root system is powerful, the stem is thick. The hybrid is distinguished by its ability to endure adverse climatic conditions.
Pioneer - based on this variety, the previous hybrid was bred.Grown for harvesting grains and as feed for livestock. Vegetative ripening period is approximately 100 days. Tolerates low temperatures and cold summers. The yield is stable. It is grown mainly in the northern regions. When growing in the south, plants need a lot of water.

The variety of corn for planting is chosen depending on the purpose of growing the crop.

Signs of seed maturation

Before you collect the grains, you need to make sure that they are ripe. If cobs are harvested for food at the stage of milky maturity, then for sowing it is necessary to wait for the biological maturity of the grains. This can be understood by a number of signs:

Stems and branches should be completely dry and turn yellow. Drying of the stems begins in late August - early September. If at this point the bushes are still green, you need to wait a few more weeks until they begin to dry out.
Ripe beans on the cob are firm to the touch. They change from light yellow to yellow-orange.
If you cook overripe cobs, they taste very hard even when cooked for a long time.

The presence of all these signs suggests that the grains can begin to be collected. Depending on the growing region, the harvest time shifts by several weeks.

Collection of corn seeds

The success of storage and future planting depends on the correct collection of corn seeds. It is necessary to collect seeds only in dry sunny weather so that the cobs are dried. They are broken off or cut with secateurs. Then they are transferred to a warm and dry room to ripen.

They are left like this for a month. You can store the cobs at this time in the basement or in the cellar.Basement storage will be optimal if you create the necessary storage conditions for the cobs. Regularly check the cobs so that mold and fungi do not appear on them. It is important to prevent high humidity in the cellar.

Planting material is collected mainly from the middle of the cob. At the end of the grain are not suitable for cultivation. And at the bottom of the cob are often deformed and underdeveloped. The grains collected from the cob are sorted out. Leave only he althy grains without damage.

How to store seeds after harvest?

Stored grains of corn after harvesting in the basement after 30 days are taken out and prepared for further planting. Seeds are harvested in October-November, when the grains are completely dry and easily separated. After that, the seeds are left to dry at home at room temperature. They are scattered in an even layer on a flat surface and periodically mixed.

After a few days, maize is scattered into paper bags and the variety of corn is indicated on them so as not to get confused. Store the seeds in a dry, dark place away from moisture and open sunlight. If the storage conditions are observed, then the seeds will remain good and suitable for planting even after 5 years. And if you violate the storage conditions, they will become covered with mold and become unsuitable for planting next year.