Successful maize sowing

Maximising maize yields starts with effective sowing strategies. Proper planting determines about 50% of your yield potential. In this guide, you’ll find practical steps to enhance your maize-planting process. We’ll cover the essentials of preparing seed beds, delve into the nuances of soil temperature on seed germination and provide you with maintenance tips for optimal planter performance. Additionally, we will address common sowing challenges and discuss the impact of sowing speed on plant uniformity and loss. This article is designed to equip you with the agronomic insights you need for a successful planting season. Get ready to refine your techniques and achieve greater yields with our expert advice.

To achieve the highest possible yields in maize production, it is critical to adhere to several best practices during the sowing process.

Best practices for sowing maize

Optimal maize-sowing densities are contingent upon the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) maturity group of the maize variety you have chosen. Adhering to these density recommendations can lead to a more uniform crop emergence, better use of resources and potential maximisation of yield per area.

Early maturity	Densities
FAO 180 – 280	80 – 110 000 gr/ha
FAO 280 – 480	70 – 90000 gr/ha
FAO 480 – 700	65 – 80000 gr/ha

Preparing the seed bed

Good soil-to-seed contact is needed for proper germination. Plant in soils that: 

• have good moisture level around the seed 
• have a fine texture, but be careful of the risk of surface sealing in silty soil 
• have some small surface clods 
• have fragmented soil under the seed bed at a depth of 8-9 cm 
• are slightly compacted     

Favourable conditions for seed-bed preparation

While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can choose to sow at a time that gives the seed the best start possible. Try to plant when: 

• soil temperature is above 10°C   
• there is good soil moisture   
• weather forecasts are favourable for a 5-7 day period 
• air temperature allows for quick emergence  
• no major rainfall is forecast before emergence 

Soil temperature and maize germination

The best yields are normally obtained via early planting. Anticipate manuring and working the soil to be
ready for late March/early April.
Early crops also have the advantage of dryer harvesting and therefore cost less to dry. However, planting too early can also reduce yields.
The maize germinates and develops when the soil temperature reaches 10°C. At lower temperatures than
those indicated above, the seed remains dormant and will become more vulnerable to diseases, insects and predators. It is therefore recommended to take the soil temperature and check the 5-day and 7-day weather forecasts to see if they are favourable.

Soil T°	Effective T°/day	Numbers of days needed for emergence
10°C	4	20 – 22 d
11°C	5	16 – 18 d
12°C	6	13 – 15 d
13°C	7	12 – 13 d
16°C	10	8 – 10 d
21°C	15	5 – 7 d

Maintaining your planter for optimal performance

Checking and calibrating your planter before you get to the field ensures that you make the most of your time. Before you start planting, check: 

• your tyre pressure is around 2 kg/cm² 
• that planter blades are in very good condition for a V-shaped furrow 
• settings are optimised for perfect coulter pressure and clod clearing 

Troubleshooting common maize-sowing issues

Here are some tips for fine tuning when you plant your MAS Seeds maize hybrids. 

• Sowing density – adapt based on the variety and field characteristics 
• Sowing depth – 4-5 cm with 2 cm of wet soil above the seed 

• Too deep: 7-8 cm lowers your emergence 
• Too shallow: 2-3 cm risks birds predation 

• Seed spacing in the row and sowing depth regularity – aim for 5 to 7 km/h for best results 
• Watch for double seeds or misses – make sure your planter is properly calibrated to match the seed size 

Impact of sowing speed on plant loss and heterogeneity

The ideal sowing speed is normally between 5 and 7 km/h. Sowing at excessively high speeds causes
misses, more doubles and an unequal sowing depth.
This bar chart illustrates the loss of density at different speeds and with different seed drills.
New seed drills are arriving on the market which claim to sow at over 12 km/h (Verderstad tempo, Amazone
EDX, etc.)

The journey to achieving maximal yields in maize cultivation is multifaceted and hinges on the precise execution of sowing practices. By selecting the appropriate seed variety relative to the FAO maturity group and adhering to the recommended sowing densities, farmers can lay the groundwork for a successful crop.

Early planting, when conditions permit, and meticulous attention to the sowing process, particularly with regard to soil temperature and moisture, seeding depth, and planter settings, are all critical steps in this process.

Moreover, the impact of sowing speed on plant uniformity and density, as demonstrated by the Arvalis study, highlights the need for careful consideration of planter capabilities in relation to operational speed. The goal is to achieve a balance between efficient farming operations and the agronomic requirements of the maize plants themselves.