What is the maturity of corn?

What is the maturity of corn?

Physiological maturity of corn is normally reached about 60 days after silking. At physiological maturity, maximum grain dry weight has accumulated, corn is safe from frost, kernel moisture is 30 to 35 percent, and whole plant moisture is 60 to 65 percent.

What is the milk line in corn?

The milk line marks the division between the starchy part of the kernel and the softer, milky part of the kernel (Figure 1). Literature indicates that total plant death at the beginning of the dent stage will reduce final yield about 40 percent.

How is corn maturity determined?

The maturity of most corn products is based on the amount of GDUs required to reach black layer. Based on planting date, growing season temperatures, and the GDU maturity date for a product, an approximate calendar maturity date can be calculated for a corn product.

How do you judge physiological maturity?

Physiological Maturity- The physiological maturity is judged of measure by rate of respiration and sugar: acid ratio. Eg. Citrus fruit is harvested when the appropriate TSS/acid ratio is reached.

How much corn is dry per day?

Corn will normally dry approximately 3/4 to 1% per day during favorable drying weather (sunny and breezy) during the early warmer part of the harvest season from mid‑September through late September. By early to mid‑October, dry-down rates will usually drop to ½ to 3/4% per day.

What is black layer on corn?

Black layer is the stage in corn development at which kernel growth ceases and maximum kernel dry weight is achieved (also referred to as “physiological maturity”). A killing fall frost prior to physiological maturity can cause premature leaf death or whole plant death.

Where is the milk line?

Milk lines, also known by the technical term ventral epidermal ridges, are precursors to the mammary glands and nipples. An embryo’s breasts begin to develop during the fourth week of the gestation period. The milk lines themselves appear by the sixth week. They arch down from the armpit to the groin on both sides.

How many years of testing does a corn hybrid go through?

Corn Adjusts to Later Planting A three-year study that was conducted by researchers at Purdue and Ohio State Universities documented that hybrids can adjust their growth and development, requiring fewer growing degree units (GDUs) to reach maturity when planted late (Table 1).

What is horticultural maturation?

Horticultural maturity is the stage of development at which a plant or plant part possesses the prerequisites for use by consumers for a particular purpose. A given commodity may be horticulturally mature at any stage of development (see fig.

What are the stages of corn?

There are 4 distinct stages of growing corn: planting, germination, vegetative, and reproductive.

What does no milk line on corn mean?

Loss of all milk from the kernel or “no milk line”, occurs at the same time as kernel black layer formation under normal conditions. Kernel milk line can also be used to assess approximate whole plant moisture. To find the kernel milk line, break a corn ear in half and look at the top or tip half.

How do you find the milk line on corn kernels?

To find the kernel milk line, break a corn ear in half and look at the top or tip half. After dent stage begins, a line can be seen on the smooth side of the kernels. It marks the boundary between the solid and liquid parts of the immature endosperm.

What is the physiological maturity of corn after silking?

Physiological maturity of corn is normally reached about 60 days after silking. At physiological maturity, maximum grain dry weight has accumulated, corn is safe from frost, kernel moisture is 30 to 35 percent, and whole plant moisture is 60 to 65 percent.

How long does it take for corn to grow to maturity?

Plant indicators for determining corn harvest date. It generally takes about 11 days to move from the early dent stage of development to half milk line, about 6 days from half milk line to 25% milk line, and about 7 days from milk line to no milk (physiological maturity or black layer formation).