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Show if v i- Jim Linder, plant breeder for Funk Seeds International, Inc., together with J. Neil Schauers, Roger Pirie and Dave Barnes (from left to right) of Germain's, Inc., evaluate agronomic traits of G-4141, a new grain corn variety being introduced in Utah this spring. silage. To get most nutrients from the corn, wait until it is in the late dough or early dent stage. That's after milk no longer comes out when you break the kernels. You may wish to check with your local county extension agent for ' more specific information in-formation on varieties and practices for corn growing in your area. You can grow good corn in Utah about seven inches apart. In the field you would plant one seed every five to six inches apart on 30 inch rows, In planting corn, keep in mind that the corn will not grow until soil temperatures are at about 55 degrees. When the soil temperature tem-perature is at that level, plant the corn. Some gardeners follow the practice of planting all the same variety of corn and making several plantings about a week apart. The same thing can be accomplished more suitably by planting varieties that differ in earliness of maturity and plant all at the same time. By Paul R. Daniels, Extension Area - Agronomist Utah State - University Do you plan to grow corn this year, either sweet corn for the table or for canning, or feed corn , for grain or silage? Your first consideration in growing corn is to select a variety suitable to your own area. Varieties vary in growing degree days required to reach proper stage for harvest. You can get information on varieti4s and on growing degree days from your local county extension agent, from a seed dealer and by noting the growing days on the lable. Weed control is also important. If you plan to plant corn in the same spot for two years, you can use Atrazene or Atrex at the rate of 5 lbs. per acre. To control the weeds apply three lbs. at the time you plow the land in the fall or in the spring, and then two lbs. just at the time you plant. It will control the existing weeds and those that are coming up. After your corn is planted, make sure it is watered about the time the leaves start to show any stress without water. Corn needs moisture so it doesn't suffer and wilt. It may wilt in the afternoon when it's hot, but if it doesn't . bounce right back, you'd better get water applied to it. Insect control is vital. The biggest problem affecting corn in the state is the corn root worm. You'll notice the adult beetle at the time the corn starts to silk out or tassel. If you see a large number in your corn, treat it. If you've had the root worm before, plan to treat by applying an insecticide to the soil right with the planting in one operation. A number of insecticides work well to control root worm. Another insect problem to watch for in corn is the spider mite. It causes a drouth-like browning of the leaves. Harvesting at proper maturity is particularly important with Before preparing your soil, obtain a soil test to make sure there is no" deficiency in phosphorus and potassium. Corn requires a high fertility level, especially of nitrogen. However, there is no practical soil test for nitrogen in corn. The large number of samples required makes the cost too high. You may as well plan to add nitrogen depending on what crop you had last year. If it was alfalfa, you won't need to add any. If it was , corn or a similar nitrogen-using crop, you will. Put the equivalent ' of 200 lbs. of N per acre on either a garden plot or a field. Hybrid corn today has been bred up to the point where you will get tremendous yields if you have adequate fertility. During the growing season, if you notice the bottom leaves start to dry a bit that's an indication of nitrogen deficiency. Then you ought to apply nitrogen either broadcast or in the water. Plant to obtain an optimum ' plant population. For silage corn consider the plant population; don't plant more than 32,000 per acre. Most home gardeners will plant corn in hills of three seeds each, spaced 14 inches apart in rows about 26 to 30 inches wide because it is easier to weed than when single seeds are planted |