Black Corn Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Black corn is a special type of corn, with a glossy jet-black appearance. Its kernel cuticle deposits melanin to varying degrees and it is rich in water-soluble melanin as well as various trace elements essential to the human body, plant protein and various amino acids. Its nutritional content is noticeably higher than that of other cereal crops. Let us take a look below at black corn seed prices and planting methods!
How much does a jin of black corn seed cost?
The price of black corn seed is about 40 to 60 yuan per jin, but prices vary considerably depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and the market. Black corn is suitable for planting in most corn-growing regions of China, and can be sown in spring or summer. The planting method is basically the same as that for ordinary corn, and cultivation is simple. About 5 to 6 jin of seed are used per mu, and more than 4,000 fresh young cobs can be harvested, with a single fresh cob weighing up to 250 grams. At present it is mainly sold retail as fresh young cobs, so it can be developed on a modest scale around factories, mines, colleges and cities.
What varieties of black corn are there?
1. Black Pearl sweet corn: Black Pearl sweet corn is currently the main promoted variety, with good stress resistance, wide adaptability and high yield. Its dry grain yield reaches 450 kg/mu, the fresh cob harvest period is 80 to 85 days, the grain maturity period is 105 days, and the suitable density is 3,500 plants per mu.
2. Black waxy hybrid varieties: Black waxy hybrid varieties include Black Waxy No. 1, Black Waxy No. 2, Black Waxy No. 3 and others. Among them, Black Waxy No. 2 has conical ears, relatively small kernels and a compact plant shape. After maturity and drying, the kernels are black and shrunken, sticky and fragrant with no residue, and it is a medium-maturing variety on the early side.
Sowing methods for black corn
1. Variety selection: The black corn variety should be decided according to the time of going to market and the local growing environment. The black corn varieties commonly used in production at present mainly include Italian black corn, Korean Zijinxiang black corn, Kaoshan black corn, black waxy hybrids and others.
2. Isolated planting: Black corn and ordinary corn must be planted in isolation to avoid cross-pollination. Within a range of 350 to 400 m around the field where black corn is planted, no other corn should be planted. At the same time, no other corn varieties should be sown in the 20 days before and after sowing black corn, so as to stagger the corn flowering and pollination times.
3. Seed treatment: Black corn seeds are small, not plump and store few nutrients. About 7 days before sowing, sun the seeds, separate them by size and sow them separately, striving for uniform emergence.
4. Fine sowing: Black corn has weak germination and soil-breaking ability, so choose a plot with good fertility, moderate pH, convenient irrigation and drainage and sufficient soil moisture for planting. Prepare the land finely and sow shallowly and carefully, generally at a depth of 4 cm.
5. Reasonable dense planting: The planting density of black corn should be determined according to variety characteristics, soil fertility, sowing date, planting method and market demand. The general density is 3,000 to 3,500 plants per mu.
Planting methods for black corn
1. Soil preparation and fertilisation: Black corn has a relatively short growth period, a short plant shape and fast individual development, so it is suitable to apply sufficient base fertiliser all at once. It is required to apply 50 kg of diammonium phosphate, 25 kg of potassium sulfate, 10 kg of full-element compound fertiliser per mu, or 20 kg of urea and 50 kg of superphosphate.
2. Transplanting and final thinning: For black corn, thin and transplant seedlings to fill gaps at the 3 to 4 leaf stage. When transplanting, bring soil with the seedlings and water immediately after planting, preferably in the evening or on a cloudy day. At the 5 leaf stage, leave 1 plant per hole. Earth up from the jointing stage to before the large trumpet stage, and remove tillers and side shoots early.
3. Watering management: During the seedling stage of black corn, when the soil moisture is 50 to 60% of the maximum field water-holding capacity, no irrigation is needed. After jointing, soil moisture should be kept at 70% of the maximum field water-holding capacity. Generally, by the small trumpet stage, whether to water can be decided according to weather conditions.
4. Timely topdressing: Black corn should be topdressed according to the time, the seedlings and the land. Generally, 15 kg of dipotassium phosphate and 5 kg of potassium sulfate are used, with one topdressing each at the jointing stage, heading stage, flowering stage and grain-filling stage.
5. Artificial pollination: Black corn is planted at a relatively high density, and the leaves shade one another, resulting in poor pollination and making sparse grains and bare tips likely. Therefore, during the flowering period, collect pollen by hand and pollinate the ears, collecting and applying at the same time, every day from 10 to 11 a.m., for 3 to 5 consecutive days.
6. Pest and disease control: Black corn is mainly eaten fresh, so integrated control methods should be adopted for pests and diseases. Biological preparations, Bacillus thuringiensis, validamycin and others can be used to control northern leaf blight, southern leaf blight and banded leaf and sheath blight of corn. Avoid pesticides with long residual periods and large residues, and stop using them 20 days before going to market.
7. Timely harvest: Black corn has the highest sugar content and the thinnest skin 22 to 28 days after the ear silks, making it most suitable for harvest. Harvesting too early or too late will affect the quality and taste of black corn. When processing for sale, it is best to steam it with water vapour; boiling in water will reduce the quality of black corn.