Corn
Zea mays
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Quick Info
water
Regular watering, critical during tasseling
spacing
25 cm between plants, 75 cm between rows
depth
3-5 cm deep
sun
Full sun
season
Year-round in tropics, best with wet season rains
frost
Frost sensitive
height
1.5-2.5 metres
gemination
5-10 days
sprout to harvest
70-100 days (sweet corn), 120+ (dry corn)
soil ph
5.8-7.0
soil type
Deep, fertile, well-drained soil
fertilizer needs
Heavy nitrogen feeder
About
Corn (maize) is grown in PNG for fresh eating (green corn), dried grain, and animal feed. Both sweet corn and field corn varieties are cultivated. It grows well in lowland and mid-altitude areas and is often intercropped with beans and pumpkin in traditional planting systems.
Health Benefits
Good source of energy, dietary fibre, B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, folate), and vitamin C (fresh). Contains antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Provides protein and essential minerals.
Market Requirements
Sweet corn: sell fresh with husks on, kernels should be plump and milky when pierced. Dried corn: fully mature, dried to 13-14% moisture.