The 8 key growth stages of maize for crop management.
1. Emergence
- Maize requires a soil temperature of 10°C required for germination
- Seeds need sufficiently fine and moist soil around
- Average of 12-17 days required to reach emergence, depending on soil temperature
2. Weaning: 4-5 leaf stage
- Appearance of new roots (crown roots)
- The plant is no longer dependent of the seed’s reserves – it is weaned
- Sensitivity to nutrient deficiencies, phosphorous in particular
- Final plant density determined
3. Initiation of Ears: 8-10 leaf stage
- Initiation of the ears (number of rows)
- At 10 leaves we reach the elongation stage. Great need for water and nutrients
- Plant is sensitive to cold temperatures (<8°C), low sunlight and to the application of herbicides
4. Tassel Visible
- Plant stage that determines the number of ears per plant
- The number of ovules is 90% established
- At this growth stage there is a great sensitivity to lack of water and nitrogen
5. Female Flowering
- Fertilization of ovules by pollen
- High sensitivity to water deficit:
- If water stress, grain development can be disrupted
- High temperatures can cause no exit of the bristles
- Fertilization problems can cause disturbed grain development
6. Grain Abortion Limit Stage
- Beyond this stage, grain abortions are no longer possible
- Happens at 3 weeks after fertilization, i.e. 250 dd after flowering
- Final number of grains
- Stage marking the end of maximum sensitivity to water stress
7. Doughy Grain Stage
- 50% moisture stage
- Last irrigation stage = 32% whole plant DM stage
8. Black Layer
- Grain physiological maturity – end of grain fill
- Grain moisture at 32%
- Formation of black layer: closing of vessels between grains and cob
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