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Maize

Maize is a multipurpose, valuable rotation crop with a multitude of varieties available. The crop has a low capital investment, low growing risk, and generally a longer window of harvest than other crops, making it the third most important cereal crop species in the world (after wheat and rice).

Specific Considerations for Maize

Crop biomass is critical for delivering high yielding, high quality maize, as either forage or kernel production. To support optimal growth consideration of soil parameters, water infiltration, drainage, and nutrient cycling and supply will ensure maize crops are supported through the season.

Utilising a sustained release form of phosphate fertiliser, in conjunction with starter fertilisers, will ensure the presence of critical nutrients through the lifecycle of the crop. The addition of biostimulants supports soil function such as agglomeration (aiding water infiltration and drainage), and nutrient cycling delivery.

Use of biostimulants at stem elongation enhances and supports vegetative growth, while use at flowering provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and metabolites.

The BioAg approach

BioAg nutrition programs are incorporated into a growers current nutrition program. Our objective is to make fertiliser and other inputs work better and build and support healthy and balanced soils and plants. Programs are custom-made for each block, using advanced soil and tissue analysis. These integrated programs typically incorporate a range of BioAg solid and liquid nutrients, often associated with conventional inputs. BioAg fertility programs can be developed to meet organic certification requirements.

Soil test

An experienced and Fertcare accredited BioAg agronomist works with you and provides technical expertise on your crop. If you don’t already have recent soil test data, we arrange a soil test for you. The results provide essential information about the soil fertility and soil structure for better performance. Download the BioAg soil sampling procedure here.

A tailored program

Based on the results of soil tests, crop requirements and other factors such as soil structure, climate, history of the block, and targets that you are trying to achieve, we provide a tailored program that aims to improve soil fertility and maximise yield response. We support you through the program to ensure that inputs are applied at the right time, in the right way.

Leaf and tissue testing

Any nutritional program cannot foresee the changes in weather, disease, or pests, that may impact a crop. During the season, growers may observe issues or evidence of stress in their crop. This may be due to greater growth or yields than planned, a trace element shortage or abiotic stresses. An on-farm inspection and associated leaf or tissue tests will promptly identify any issues, which can quickly be addressed by applying the appropriate inputs. Download the BioAg leaf sampling procedure here.

High yielding crops require fertile balanced soils

Key to highly productive crops is the function of soils. Soil structure, chemistry and biology are critical in supporting crops throughout the growing season. By improving all aspects of the soil, crops will benefit from improved access to moisture, due to improved infiltration and water holding capacity, improved access to nutrition through improved nutrient cycling, fixation (for N) and a reduction in loss pathways, improved resilience to abiotic stresses and disease, improved root growth providing access to additional moisture and nutrients as well as improved carbon sequestration and a range of other benefits (click for more on soil health).

Beneficial microorganisms stimulate the plant’s root growth and help protect it from abiotic stresses. This is made possible through mutually beneficial relationships that microbes develop with plants, for example mycorrhizal associations. BioAg products programs supply essential macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca), trace elements (B, Zn, Cu etc.), microbial food and metabolites beneficial microorganisms that colonise root systems, improving soil function, plant health and productivity.

ears of corn on a white background

Maize – key features of a BioAg program

The following table illustrates the cropping process and potential solutions depending on soil test results and other contributing factors. Call your BioAg Area Manager to discuss your individual needs.

Objective
Activity
BioAg Product
Planning
Growers to have a plan in place for the cropping season, that takes into account the specific nature and long term objective of their soils and farming practice.
Book a soil test and consultation with your local BioAg Representative.
Prior to sowing
Provide optimal soil conditions and nutrition to support crops. Prepare soils for the period of the rotation addressing soil structure, chemistry (eg pH) and nutrition. Incorporate BioAgPhos which enables a reduction in the use of chemical starter fertiliser which can reduce emergence.
When applied, ameliorantes support crops through the entire season, by including sustained release phosphate at a rate based on soil phosphate levels, depending on the needs of your crop.
BioAgPhos®: 200 – 500kg/ha
Prior to sowing
Provide optimal soil conditions and nutrition to support crops. Prepare soils for the period of the rotation addressing soil structure, chemistry (eg pH) and nutrition. Incorporate BioAgPhos which enables a reduction in the use of chemical starter fertiliser which can reduce emergence.
When applied, ameliorantes support crops through the entire season, by including sustained release phosphate at a rate based on soil phosphate levels, depending on the needs of your crop.
BioAgSoP®: 50 – 150kg/ha
Prior to sowing
Provide optimal soil conditions and nutrition to support crops. Prepare soils for the period of the rotation addressing soil structure, chemistry (eg pH) and nutrition. Incorporate BioAgPhos which enables a reduction in the use of chemical starter fertiliser which can reduce emergence.
When applied, ameliorantes support crops through the entire season, by including sustained release phosphate at a rate based on soil phosphate levels, depending on the needs of your crop.
Sulphate of Ammonia: 350 – 500kg/ha
At sowing
Provide the essential nutrition and food sources to promote emergence and early plant growth and vigour, critical in the development of stronger, more resilient crops.
Include a soil biostimulant with starter fertiliser to increase soil organic carbon and important microbial food sources and metabolites to improve nutrient access and minimise nutrient losses.
Soil & Seed®: 6 – 8L/ha as a seed inoculant or preferably diluted and applied to soil
Eearly growth stage
Apply additional key nutrients to deliver optimal growth.
Include a soil biostimulant with trace elements and additional nitrogen to enhance nutrient cycling and delivery to the crop.
Soil & Seed®: 2 – 4L/ha diluted and applied to soil
Key growth stages
Stimulate crop growth at critical growth stages, respond to abiotic stresses and optimise the uptake and use of foliar nutrients.
Foliar application at stem elongation in conjunction with planned applications of chemicals or fertilisers.
Balance & Grow®: 2 – 4L/ha possibly more than once per season
Maturing crop
Improve fruiting, seed set and seed fill by stimulating plant physiology and providing important micronutrients for this stage of the crop's development.
Foliar application at flowering in conjunction with planned applications of chemicals or fertilisers.
Fruit & Balance®: 3 – 5L/ha

Maize resources

  • Biostimulants increase yield

    For the past four years, BioAg Agronomist and Area Manager Pete Emerson has been conducting a large-scale biostimulants demonstration with a grower near Brocklesby, southern NSW. The innovative grower is keen to explore ways to combat soil constraints and improve crop y...

    Read more
  • Soil-nutrient relationships

    Nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, may be supplied to plants solely from reserves held in the soil. Others like phosphorus and nitrogen are added regularly to soils as fertiliser to be withdrawn as needed by crops.

    Read more
  • Biostimulants to the rescue – enhancing fertiliser efficiency

    Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is the term used to describe the effectiveness of nitrogen uptake by plants, whether it be nitrogen latent in the soil, sequestered from the air, or applied as fertiliser.

    Read more
  • Biostimulants increase yield benefits

    The yield map from the Summer 2023 harvest near Brocklesby in Southern NSW visibly shows the positive impact of BioAg’s biostimulant program on yield.

    Read more

Recommended products

bag of BioAg Phos solid fertiliser

BioAgPhos

Solid Fertiliser

Highly reactive phosphate fertiliser made from high-grade reactive phosphate rock combined with BioAg’s microbial digesting agent.

BioAg Biostimulant product Soil & Seed

Soil & Seed

Biostimulant

Formulated to improve soil microbial activity, natural soil fertility and moisture and nutrient utilisation.

BioAg Biostimulant product Balance & Grow

Balance & Grow

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase vegetative growth, root development and soil microbial activity. Ideal for broadacre, pastures and horticulture.

BioAg Biostimulant product Fruit & Balance

Fruit & Balance

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase flowering, fruit set and soil microbial activity. Fruit & Balance enhances the nutritional value and quality of fruit or grain by increasing plant sugar levels.

BioAg product shot of BioAg SoP

BioAgSoP

Solid Fertiliser

Organically certified granular form of fertiliser containing potassium and sulphur. Immediately available to crops and plants. Ideal for crops with a high potassium demand and sensitive to chloride.

bag of BioAg Phos solid fertiliser

Committed to organics

With a core range of natural fertilisers and biostimulants, BioAg can offer an extensive range of products certified by Australian Organics, suitable for use in organic systems.