Does waxy corn have a high sugar content? What are its planting methods?

There are many types of corn, with common ones including waxy corn, sweet corn, black corn, and among them there is a variety whose nutrient content is higher than ordinary corn called waxy corn, which many people are still not very familiar with. Waxy corn is a very good weight-loss food, high in calcium, high in phosphorus, and high in vitamins. Let's take a look below at whether waxy corn has a high sugar content and what its planting methods are.

1. Does waxy corn have a high sugar content?

Waxy corn is a variety of corn, just as glutinous rice is a type of rice. Waxy corn is also known as glutinous corn. Glutinous corn originated in China and is the result of gene segregation and free combination, so waxy corn is not genetically modified corn. Therefore, to know whether waxy corn has a high sugar content, you only need to understand the sugar content of glutinous corn. The sugar content of glutinous corn is very low. Sweet corn tastes relatively sweet, but its sugar level is very healthy and different from sucrose.

2. What are the planting methods for waxy corn?

1. Plot selection

The plot should be located in an agricultural production area with no pollution sources within 3km and a good ecological environment. The quality of irrigation water, air quality, and soil environmental quality around the plot should comply with the national standards for pollution-free agricultural product production. In addition, waxy corn should be planted in isolation from corn varieties with different genetic backgrounds from ordinary corn, to avoid cross-pollination reducing fruit quality and yield. Generally, an isolation distance of more than 300-500m is appropriate.

2. Seedling raising

Because waxy corn seeds are shriveled and the seedlings have weak ability to push through the soil, direct sowing in the field is more likely to cause missing plants and broken rows. Considering gaining time, saving seeds, and bringing to market earlier, seedling raising and transplanting are preferable. The waxy corn varieties currently selected mainly include the Kenian series No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. For seedling raising in a greenhouse or shed, use 30%-40% decomposed farmyard manure, 60%-70% fertile fine soil, and an appropriate amount of superphosphate, turn the soil and mix evenly, and fill into 6cm nutrient pots. Around April 20, choose sunny days without the influence of strong cold air and sow in stages, with 2 seeds per pot, water thoroughly, and cover with 1cm of moist nutrient soil. Manage normally, and strictly prohibit low-temperature cold damage.

3. Transplanting

After the local final frost period, when the corn seedlings have grown to 3-4 leaves, transplanting is generally done around May 10. Keep only 1 plant in each nutrient pot, remove the pot, and transplant with soil. Plant slightly deeper, with 3000-5000 plants per mu, plant spacing of 25-28cm, and row spacing of 60-70cm.

4. Scientific fertilization

Because the harvest period of waxy corn is about 15 days earlier than ordinary corn, the base fertilizer should be sufficient and topdressing should be frequent. Before transplanting, while preparing the land and forming ridges, apply 2000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu and 15-20kg of three-element compound fertilizer (N, P, K each 15%). The first topdressing is before jointing at 6-7 leaves, generally applying 5-6kg of urea per mu. The second topdressing is before tasseling at 13-15 leaves, applying 5-6kg of urea. The application method is basically the same as for ordinary corn. Under better water and fertilizer conditions, tillering is likely to occur at the seedling stage, and multiple ears and overly long husk leaves are likely to appear in the middle and late stages. Remove tillers and ineffective ear axillary buds as early as possible. If husk leaves are too long, promptly cut off the top husk leaves. During the silking stage, supplementary artificial pollination should be carried out, otherwise yield reduction is likely.

5. Pest and disease control

When transplanting, use 48% Lorsban emulsion at 1000 times dilution to water the planting holes, to control underground pests such as cutworms and grubs. The peak heart-leaf stage is the key period for controlling corn borers, and pesticides with high efficiency, low toxicity, and low residue such as BT emulsion and Kuai ShaLing can be used. If large and small leaf spot disease of corn occurs, generally around the tasseling stage, spray affected fields with 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500-600 times dilution or 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800-1000 times dilution.

6. Chemical weeding

(1) After sowing and before emergence, use 40-50mL of 90% Harness emulsion per mu or 80-100mL of 50% acetochlor emulsion per mu, diluted with 50kg of water, and spray evenly on the soil surface.

(2) Stem and leaf treatment: when monocotyledonous weeds are at the 1-2 leaf stage and dicotyledonous weeds are at the 2-4 leaf stage, use 200-250mL of 40% atrazine emulsion per mu or 80-100mL of Nicosulfuron aqueous solution, diluted with 50kg of water, and spray evenly on the weed stems and leaves.

7. Timely harvest

For fresh eating, harvest at the right time to ensure waxy corn is rich in nutrients, thin-skinned, residue-free, good in taste, and high in selling price. Generally, harvesting 18-20 days after silking is appropriate.