We have tackled on planting corn in the off-season and the risks and benefits associated with it. But you may ask, how about planting early or ahead of the regular season? Plenty, of growers have this belief that it is good to be an early bird. Planting early can mean better environment, lesser pest infestation, better crops and better yields. Oftentimes, nothing can beat a corn crop planted ahead of ‘the regular season and farmers would rather opt for early planting than doing it in the off-season.
Farmers in Mindanao took advantage of the early rains in February and planted right away when the weather permitted. Last year, some corn farmers from Luzon planted as early as September and October for the dry season. Why not? A large percentage of our corn areas are rainfed and planting ahead is an insurance of avoiding losses due to drought in the later part of the season. Grain prices are likewise very encouraging, staying for most part of the year above P 10/kg.
PLANTING PERIODS
The optimal planting date for corn across the country varies. Being a tropical country and with four climatic types, planting corn all year round is possible. In general, Luzon’s planting calendar for the dry season starts in November while September in Mindanao. The wet season, on the other hand, starts June in Luzon and March in Mindanao. Those planting weeks before these months can be considered early plantings and results are usually better than the regular and off season crops. In the US, yields begin to decline in general if corn is planted after the optimal date due to the limited planting window they have.
LOWER PEST PROBLEMS
It has been proven that there are lesser insect pests and diseases to manage when you plant early. In fact, it is a standard recommendation to plant early to save on expenses from pesticides and other control measures. This can be explained by the fact that first generation corn borer populations are just starting to build up. If one happens to plant late, the second generation of borers would have increased dramatically (normally a month later), eventually leading to serious infestation. The early crop would have evaded this problem already. Hence, late planters are strongly advised to plant Bt corn.
BETTER WEATHER
If one plants corn early in the dry season, minimal rains can still be expected which can give the young crop a good headstart. Fertilizers can be dissolved and absorbed properly. Weeds can be managed by an early ground cover. Healthier crops can manage drought and diseases better than malnourished corn fields.
Planting early means early harvest. This translates to better conditions for drying grains just before the wet season.
AVOIDING DROUGHT
One of the most compelling reasons to plant early is the risk of drought. If irrigation is not possible, planting early is the best alternative as soil moisture is still enough to support a good first 40 days in the corn plant’s life. Drought just before and during pollination is the worst problem a farmer would have in absence of any source of artificial irrigation. It can lead to total crop failure and loss of income for the farmer. Lack of rain can also interfere with your fertilization schedules. One can be forced to defer side-dressing of nitrogen fertilizers when soil moisture and dry weather do not favor root absorption. Indirectly, most late planted crops suffer nutrient deficiencies induced by poor nutrient absorption.
TAKING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
While it is best to plant early, there are some things we need to consider when planning to be ahead of the others. One consequence of planting early is the shortened fallow period. This is especially true among corn-corn cropping systems. Such “rest” for the field is normally done to ensure that the soil can somehow regain its fertility and sustainability by allowing a portion of the time for other crops such as legumes to grow.
In disease-prone areas, early plantings may not be advisable all the time without a fallow period. The fungi causing a number of diseases in Mindanao can survive on crop residues and their spores can be dispersed and transported by air. I have heard of reports coming from farmers getting into trouble with northern leaf blight after foregoing their usual practice of fallowing.
Benefits of Planting Early
In general, early planted corn results in better yields. Germination is expected to be better due to favorable soil moisture levels. The early vegetative stages can be supported likewise by an environmental condition of less pest pressure. With an early and healthy plant emergence, ground cover can be quickly established, saving precious moisture for the possible dry conditions in the later stages. On top of this, manual labor won’t be as difficult to find as demand for it is yet to peak.
Management Tips for Early Planting
1. Manage your crop residues. With the expected high yields, a good amount of residues can be returned back to the soil. Upon decomposition, these residues shall aid in maintaining the soil’s physical and chemical properties.
2. Plowing the crop residues under the soil shall minimize or lessen the possibility of diseases moving on to the next crop.
3. Select high-yielding hybrids with good vigor and disease tolerance.
4. Know your local weather.
5. Early planters may have another opportunity of the off-season crop.
6. Talk to your Pioneer agronomists on more tips when planning to plant early.
Farmers in Mindanao took advantage of the early rains in February and planted right away when the weather permitted. Last year, some corn farmers from Luzon planted as early as September and October for the dry season. Why not? A large percentage of our corn areas are rainfed and planting ahead is an insurance of avoiding losses due to drought in the later part of the season. Grain prices are likewise very encouraging, staying for most part of the year above P 10/kg.
PLANTING PERIODS
The optimal planting date for corn across the country varies. Being a tropical country and with four climatic types, planting corn all year round is possible. In general, Luzon’s planting calendar for the dry season starts in November while September in Mindanao. The wet season, on the other hand, starts June in Luzon and March in Mindanao. Those planting weeks before these months can be considered early plantings and results are usually better than the regular and off season crops. In the US, yields begin to decline in general if corn is planted after the optimal date due to the limited planting window they have.
LOWER PEST PROBLEMS
It has been proven that there are lesser insect pests and diseases to manage when you plant early. In fact, it is a standard recommendation to plant early to save on expenses from pesticides and other control measures. This can be explained by the fact that first generation corn borer populations are just starting to build up. If one happens to plant late, the second generation of borers would have increased dramatically (normally a month later), eventually leading to serious infestation. The early crop would have evaded this problem already. Hence, late planters are strongly advised to plant Bt corn.
BETTER WEATHER
If one plants corn early in the dry season, minimal rains can still be expected which can give the young crop a good headstart. Fertilizers can be dissolved and absorbed properly. Weeds can be managed by an early ground cover. Healthier crops can manage drought and diseases better than malnourished corn fields.
Planting early means early harvest. This translates to better conditions for drying grains just before the wet season.
AVOIDING DROUGHT
One of the most compelling reasons to plant early is the risk of drought. If irrigation is not possible, planting early is the best alternative as soil moisture is still enough to support a good first 40 days in the corn plant’s life. Drought just before and during pollination is the worst problem a farmer would have in absence of any source of artificial irrigation. It can lead to total crop failure and loss of income for the farmer. Lack of rain can also interfere with your fertilization schedules. One can be forced to defer side-dressing of nitrogen fertilizers when soil moisture and dry weather do not favor root absorption. Indirectly, most late planted crops suffer nutrient deficiencies induced by poor nutrient absorption.
TAKING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
While it is best to plant early, there are some things we need to consider when planning to be ahead of the others. One consequence of planting early is the shortened fallow period. This is especially true among corn-corn cropping systems. Such “rest” for the field is normally done to ensure that the soil can somehow regain its fertility and sustainability by allowing a portion of the time for other crops such as legumes to grow.
In disease-prone areas, early plantings may not be advisable all the time without a fallow period. The fungi causing a number of diseases in Mindanao can survive on crop residues and their spores can be dispersed and transported by air. I have heard of reports coming from farmers getting into trouble with northern leaf blight after foregoing their usual practice of fallowing.
Benefits of Planting Early
In general, early planted corn results in better yields. Germination is expected to be better due to favorable soil moisture levels. The early vegetative stages can be supported likewise by an environmental condition of less pest pressure. With an early and healthy plant emergence, ground cover can be quickly established, saving precious moisture for the possible dry conditions in the later stages. On top of this, manual labor won’t be as difficult to find as demand for it is yet to peak.
Management Tips for Early Planting
1. Manage your crop residues. With the expected high yields, a good amount of residues can be returned back to the soil. Upon decomposition, these residues shall aid in maintaining the soil’s physical and chemical properties.
2. Plowing the crop residues under the soil shall minimize or lessen the possibility of diseases moving on to the next crop.
3. Select high-yielding hybrids with good vigor and disease tolerance.
4. Know your local weather.
5. Early planters may have another opportunity of the off-season crop.
6. Talk to your Pioneer agronomists on more tips when planning to plant early.
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