Within the framework of the project “Maize – Queen of the Fields”, part of the “Herbitour” programme of the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, the trading company Summit Agro demonstrated on the university’s trial fields its large-scale production experience with maize. The herbicides and fertilizers used for weed control and plant nutrition are from the commercial portfolio of Summit Agro.
One of the highlights of Summit Agro was the super-intensive maize crop on 42 decares. The hybrid (500 FAO) is from the seed company Pioneer. Other parameters: irrigation is carried out with a drip system. The plant density is very high: 8,000–9,000 plants per decare. The basic fertilization (NPK) is optimal. The objective is to achieve a yield in the range of 1,800–2,000 kg/da. In this situation, noted Prof. Tonio Tonev, head of the project and the trial, the limiting factors are weed control and additional nutrition.
What is the action scheme proposed by Summit Agro? After sowing and before maize emergence, the herbicide Sharpen 33 EC (330 g/l pendimethalin) was applied for the control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds. The active substance has both soil and foliar activity. When applied to the soil, newly emerged weeds absorb the product as they pass through the herbicidal “screen”. During vegetation (4th–6th leaf stage) the combination Nisshin 4 OD (40 g/l nicosulfuron) – 120 ml/da + Flurostar 200 (200 g/l fluroxypyr) – 50 ml/da was applied. The combination Nisshin + Flurostar, according to the assessment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslav Tityanov, Managing Director of Summit Agro, is the defensive rampart for the sensitive maize plant against the entire weed “army” – regardless of its numbers, potential and “motivation”. In this case, notes Assoc. Prof. Tityanov, the selectivity of the combination is very high and any concerns in this regard are unnecessary and unfounded!
And one more fact proving that Summit Agro continues to grow. This concerns the fertilizers that the company offers on our market. The subject is extensive; we shall limit ourselves only to fertilizers in maize. Umostart Super Zinc belongs to the group of microgranulated fertilizers. This is an innovative technology, whose concept is the microgranule in which the fertilizer content is concentrated. The technology of plant nutrition through the use of microgranulated fertilizers is highly precise. A special adhesive prevents granule caking upon contact with atmospheric moisture. Umostart Super Zinc contains ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and zinc. It is used in maize during sowing. It ensures a flying start of the crop and the development of a strong root system.
Green Ultra is a balanced NPK foliar fertilizer with micronutrients for foliar application. It is specially adapted for nutrition and stimulation of growth. The balance of nutrients in Green Ultra is close to that in plant sap.
Controlled foliar nitrogen nutrition of plants is a landmark innovation in global practice. Fertilizers containing methylene urea offer a unique way of foliar feeding of agricultural crops (in this case maize) due to their ability to release nutrients slowly and over a prolonged period. Nitrogen in the form of methylene urea has the highest coefficient of foliar uptake. The balanced UREA/METHYLENE UREA ratio in Sazolen SC and Sazolen NPK – 41:59, provides grounds for their use in maize to increase leaf mass and improve the qualitative parameters of the grain. The additional content of phosphorus and potassium in Sazolen NPK stimulates the development of productive organs – a larger cob in maize.
