Key Growth Stages of Maize

1. Emergence

• Maize requires a soil temperature of 10°C for germination  
• Seeds need to be surrounded by sufficiently fine and moist soil
• An average of 12 to 17 days is required to reach emergence, depending on the temperature of the soil

2. Weaning: four-leaf to five-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. Appearance of ears: eight-leaf to ten-leaf stage

• Appearance the ears (number of rows)  
• At ten leaves, we reach the elongation stage. Need for lots of water and nutrients  
• Plant is sensitive to cold temperatures (<8°C), low sunlight and the application of herbicides

4. Tassel visible

• Plant stage that determines the number of ears per plant
• The number of ovules is 90% established 
• There is a great deal of sensitivity to lack of water and nitrogen at this growth stage 

5. Female flowering  

• Fertilisation of ovules by pollen  
• High sensitivity to water shortages:
  • If under water stress, grain development can be disrupted
  • High temperatures can cause bristles not to exit
  • Fertilisation problems can cause disturbed grain development

6. Grain abortion limit

• Beyond this stage, grain abortions are no longer possible
• Happens at three weeks after fertilisation, i.e. 250 days after flowering
• Final number of grains  
• This stage marks 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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Our local teams visit farms and distributors on-site to give you the best advice for your location. Find your local MAS Seeds® consultant by visiting a country website or fill out our contact form here.