Growth Performance of Sweet Maize under Non-Typical Maize Growing Conditions

• Published in: Biological agriculture & horticulture 2011-01, Vol.27 (2), p.147-164
• Main Authors: Fekonja, M., Bavec, F., Grobelnik-Mlakar, S., Turinek, M., Jakop, M., Bavec, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Indexing in process
• ISSN: 0144-8765; 2165-0616
• DOI: 10.1080/01448765.2011.9756644

The considerable increase in sweet maize production in Europe is a direct result of the increasing demand. This review shows a lack of investigations of non-typical maize growing conditions, and also different research results for sweet maize, especially in Europe. The most important limiting factors in growing sweet maize under non-typical climatic conditions are soil temperature and water supply. The negative impact of lower temperatures at sowing can be mitigated by choosing appropriate cultivars (early and mid-early) and sowing times (mid-end of May, depending on the region). In temperate climates different cultivation systems are effectively used to assure warmer soils in the spring. Furthermore, different rates of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization are advisable in different temperate climates for the highest yields, but > 120 kg N ha −1 has no significant effect. Requirements for N should be based more on soil Nmin analyses, green manures (especially with leguminous plants) and living mulch systems to prevent environmental pollution.