Content
Corn varieties, plants native to the American continent, were mainly bred in the 20th century for the fodder and sugar varieties of this cereal. Mostly early sugar varieties are grown in household plots. Grains from cobs are used boiled and also for preservation.
Types and photos of corn
Corn is one of the tallest annual herbaceous cereals, reaching from 1.5 to 3 m in height, forming an average of 2 ears per stem. The length of the cobs is from 10 to 30 cm, weight is 200-500 g. The cobs contain from 200 to 800 or more grains, most often yellow, although there are many species and varieties with white and red seeds. In the homeland of the giant cereal, in America, various cultivars with blue and black grains are grown.
Waxy
Among the thousands of varieties of corn, there is a species with a limited number of breeding developments - waxy corn. The variety originated from hybrids from the USA, grown in China at the beginning of the 20th century, due to the emergence of the recessive wx gene as a result of a random natural mutation. Now the manifestation of this gene is also observed in other countries among plantings of fodder corn. The outer part of the grain is matte, which resembles wax, giving the new species its name. The main difference between all varieties of this species is the high content of mealy substance, from which high-quality starch is obtained. There is a high increase in cattle and small ruminants if grains of this type are included in the diet. They do not have a similar effect on other animals.
Young cobs are tasty; they are eaten cooked. The species is widespread throughout China, but in Russia they also grow such corn. Waxy corn plantings must be placed at a large distance from other species, since the recessive gene affects other varieties of the crop. Its influence is reflected in the fragility of plants, susceptibility to disease, reduced yield and degeneration. Waxy corn grain should also be stored separately, not mixed with other varieties.
Tooth-shaped or semi-dentate
Toothed ones are the most common varieties of corn in Russia, of which there are hundreds. The grains are distinguished by a small depression at the top. Semi-dent corn was obtained by crossing the flint and dent group.Almost all toothed and semi-toothed varieties ripen late, by mid-autumn.
These forage species are grown:
- for feed grain;
- as raw materials for the food industry;
- In the milky-waxy ripeness phase, the cobs are also boiled, but they are mostly devoid of sweet taste.
Siliceous
This type of corn is famous for its high starch and protein content. Young round grains with a pleasant sweet taste. Ripe seeds are hard and have a glossy texture. The colors are yellow and white, as well as dark shades. Many entrepreneurs prefer flint corn varieties for planting due to their early ripening time.
Starchy or mealy
The name of the species is eloquent: grains with a high starch content, up to 80%, are used to make flour, molasses, and alcohol. The culture is widespread in the warm regions of North America and the South American continent.
Bursting
The properties of this type of corn are due to the large amount of protein and the structure of the grain:
- very hard and thick outer layer;
- soft thin layer of tissue around the embryo.
When heated, the evaporating moisture ruptures the shell. The ears of the species are small. Small popcorn varieties have multi-colored kernels that are round or have pointed tops.
Membranous
In this species, each grain on the cob is covered with spikelet scales, as in the spikelet of all cereals. Due to their structural features, seeds and green plants are used only for fodder. New varieties of chaffy corn are not being developed.
Japanese
One of the decorative varieties of cereals, used as a picturesque, but extremely fragile hedge. The species grows up to 1-2 m in height, the stems are weakly bushy.Decorative value is in the multi-colored longitudinal stripes on the leaves of the crop, which come in a wide range - from white, yellow, to pink and reddish. The species is considered one of the varieties of mini corn. Young cobs of milky ripeness are eaten.
White corn
The usual color of the grain of the crop is yellow, and for variety, interested summer residents grow varieties with white seeds. Many species have this shade, but the most popular is white sugar corn on the cob. The species is distinguished by its delicate and tasty sweetish grains in the milky ripeness phase, as well as early ripeness. The cobs can be eaten 75-100 days after the development of seedlings. Known varieties with white seeds:
- Snow White;
- Medunka;
- The Snow Queen;
- Mermaid;
- Snow avalanche;
- White cloud;
- Eskimo.
red corn
The burgundy hue is inherent in various types of grains. Its presence in the plant indicates a high content of antioxidants. Therefore, recently many gardeners have been trying to plant varieties of red corn, as in the photo.
Blue or purple corn
Blue, purple or almost black corn grains are also rich in antioxidant properties. Varieties of different species with dark-colored grains have long been grown in Latin American countries. Now blue corn under the brand of the legendary Hopi Indian tribe has begun to spread around the world. Seeds with a particularly low glycemic index and high protein content make delicious foods and dishes: flatbreads, porridge, drinks, chips.
The best early and mid-early varieties and hybrids
Breeders have developed many early varieties of several of the most common varieties:
- sugar;
- tooth-like;
- siliceous;
- starchy;
- waxy.
One of the earliest varieties of corn is Daenerys F1 (Barcelona F1), which matures for cooking in 65-68 days. Yellow grains contain up to 22% sugars. But there are many other plants with similar properties.
Early golden
Cobs 16-19 cm long are ready for processing after 90 days. The plant is not tall and is little susceptible to fungal infections. The grains are canned and frozen.
Dobrynya
One of the most famous early-ripening varieties of corn, resistant to rust, wilt, and mosaic, matures for culinary processing in 68-75 days. Sugar corn kernels are very sweet and yellow. They are also used for the production of starch, flour, and cereals.
Sundance
Early stunted corn matures in 72-90 days. The stem grows up to 1.5 m, the yellow ears are medium-sized, tasty. Used for preparations and cooking.
Jubilee
A high-yielding, low-susceptibility to disease variety is sometimes classified as a mid-season group. The ripening period is from 80 to 100 days, which largely depends on weather conditions. The stem is tall, more than 2 m, the ears are large, in the milky ripeness phase they are sweet and tasty.
Landmark
A hybrid of the sugar type with yellow large cobs ripens on the 70-73rd day of development. The plant is resistant to infection by fungal diseases. Seeds for universal use.
The best mid-season varieties and hybrids
Corn with medium-ripening ears is often used in agriculture for fresh green feed for livestock and for silage. Vegetables are suitable for cooking and preparing.
Spirit
The hybrid Spirit from Syngenta, resistant to lodging, viral and fungal infections, produces a high yield of large cobs. Yellow seeds of a universal direction, ready for culinary processing in 85-99 days.
Pioneer
Simple hybrids from the well-known company of the same name from the USA produce only one large cob. The variety is low, with a strong stem, yellow grains that are ready for cooking after 105-110 days of development. The plant is drought-resistant, high-yielding.
Syngenta
The hybrid from Holland is highly productive, ready for harvest in the milk phase in 105-109 days. Stems up to 1.7-1.8 m, with selected ears. The variety is little susceptible to infections. Strong plants are often grown under agrotextiles for earlier production.
Sweetstar
A hybrid of sweet corn from Syngenta is recommended to be sown in March for early production. Stems up to 2-2.1 m, ears over 20 cm. The variety is resistant to a number of pathogens.
Pearl
The hybrid from Transnistrian breeders creates 2 stepsons and 2 ears of medium size. The bright yellow grain contains up to 5% sugars and 7% starch. A variety for universal use.
Favorite
Sweet corn Favorit F1 is medium-sized, up to 1.5-1.7 m, ripens in 80 days. Productivity is high, yellow large seeds are sweet, elongated in shape.
Krasnodar
Corn of the sugar group is low, up to 1.6 m, drought-resistant. Medium sized yellow ears. It ripens 95-100 days after germination.
The most productive late-ripening varieties and hybrids
According to the characteristics of varieties and hybrids of sugar corn, which will ripen in 3.5-4 months, most of the plants are tall and productive, with large fruits.
Ice nectar
The high-yielding hybrid bears creamy white grains that are very sweet and tasty in the milk phase. Sings by 135-140 days of development. Stems up to 1.8 m high.
Polaris
The weight of the fruits of the Polaris variety, bred in Transnistria, reaches over 300 g. The drought-resistant plant is tall, more than 2 m. The stems are strong and do not lie down.
Bashkirovets
Massive cobs weigh 350 g or more. Tall plants reach more than 3 m. The variety is productive and stable.
Russian bursting
The variety ripens on the hundredth day of development. The seeds serve as raw material for popcorn and cereal.
Megaton
The hybrid is rather mid-late, technical maturity begins at 85 days. Due to unfavorable weather, ripening may be delayed. The variety is tall, with massive ears, and is immune to many diseases. The purpose is universal.
The best varieties of feed corn
Regionalized varieties are grown in different regions. Late-ripening ones that ripen in the fall are considered high-yielding. Among specialist agronomists, there is an opinion that in years with favorable weather and sufficient precipitation, tooth-bearing species perform better. Flinty-toothed varieties, which ripen a little earlier and are more resistant to drought, provide yields for farms in unfavorable years. Since weather forecasting is not always accurate, farmers advise sowing fields in a proportion of 60-70% with dentifrice varieties, and leaving the remaining 30-40% for the second group.
The varieties of the Pioneer company have proven themselves well over decades:
- weather-resistant;
- unpretentious to soils;
- disease resistant;
- with large elongated grains;
- high in starch and protein.
High-quality products from seed growers from Kuban, as well as from many foreign companies that enter our market:
- Ross;
- Mashuk;
- Korn;
- Frame;
- Voronezh;
- Phenomenon;
- Thompson Prolific.
Conclusion
Corn varieties are diverse and purposeful. For household plots, varieties of sugar species, early, mid-season or late, are often purchased. When buying seeds, they study what the ears are intended for - for consumption in the milky ripeness phase or for popcorn.
