MAIZE CULTIVATION IN VENEZUELA
NATIONAL MAIZE PRODUCTION
Maize is the most important crop of the vegetable agricultural sector in Venezuela and has been considered as a strategic item, given its importance in the Venezuelan daily diet.
The production of corn in Venezuela is of great importance since from the socio-cultural point of view it fully justifies the need to offer farmers economically viable, ecologically compatible and socially acceptable production alternatives; that is, in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture, genetic diversity is increased to minimize dependence and traditional practices are combined with modern technology. It is important to note that Venezuela is the third largest producer of corn in Latin America.
The production of corn in Venezuela experienced an increase of 89% in the period 1995-2005, with values of 1,160,000 and 2,200,000 tons, respectively. For the year 2007, the goal of the MPPAT was to reach 2,500,000 tons, which would be equivalent to harvesting 750,000 hectares and a yield of 3300 kg per hectare. The real value reflected the harvest of 740,372 hectares, with a yield of 3,472 kg per hectare and a production of 2,570,869 tons.
CORE IMPORTS.
Regarding corn imports, a fact that must be highlighted is that for white corn they ceased in 1998 as a result of self-supply. The imports of yellow corn have been decreasing since the year 2000, reached its lowest value in 2006, where only 25,000 tons were imported, due to the policies and restrictions that the government has implemented to reduce imports of this item.
Improving the national production of corn from the use of simple hybrids, is a proposal of work that has been entrusted to those in charge of the area of Genetic Improvement, currently formed by Yanely Alfaro, Víctor Segovia and Félix San Vicente, researchers from the National Research Institute Agrícola, who have been developing this work in the National Agricultural Research Center, located in El Limón, Maracay, Aragua state.
CONTROL, COMMERCIALIZATION, IRRIGATION
PUDRICIONES IN THE STORAGE.
They are caused by fungi when situations are given in the environment. Humidity.
Humidity; 12% below.
Madures physiology if it is not completely allows the attack and other factors that can be controlled is the temperature and relative humidity.
CONTROL.
They are mainly resistant varieties and hybrids for the existing diseases in the area.
There are some varieties and hybrids that are resistant to diseases but susceptible to others.
Then the researchers make crosses trying not to lower production.
Ex: hybrid anchina good production but susceptible to crazy tip.
OTHER CONTROLS.
Weed control
Avoid puddling
Good leveling
Preparation
Residues of crops.
MECHANIZED.
It must have conditions:
- threads at 0.90 cm because their blades are at that distance but they pull the thread.
- Another condition has to be below 28% humidity above the machine does not shred it.
Depending on the variety and hybrid is harvested between 90 and 120 days, the harvest time will indicate depending on when we sow in addition the moisture content is determined which is less than 28% humidity.
COMMERCIALIZATION
Dry corn:
Through the agreements of the producer and industry
Precooked foods
Concentrated feed for animals
Oil production industry
Cereal production
Production of alcohols.
Direct consumption pylons areperas mills.
Produc-small 1-consumer
Producer-intermediary-small industry-consumer
Producer-intermediary-pylons-consumers
Producer-broker-wholesale market
EDAFOCLIMÁTICAS REQUIREMENTS
Climate demand
Corn requires a temperature of 25 to 30ºC. It requires quite a lot of sunlight and in those humid climates its performance is lower. For germination to occur in the seed, the temperature must be between 15 and 20ºC
The maize reaches minimum temperatures of up to 8ºC and from 30ºC serious problems can appear due to poor absorption of mineral nutrients and water. For the fructification temperatures of 20 to 32ºC are required.
PLUVIOMETRY AND IRRIGATION
Pluviometry
Water in the form of rain is very necessary in periods of growth in a content of 40 to 65 cm.
IRRIGATION
Corn is a demanding crop in water in the order of about 5 mm per day.
Irrigation can be done by spraying and blanketing. The most used irrigation lately is sprinkler irrigation.
The water needs vary throughout the crop and when the plants begin to be born, less water is required but a constant humidity is maintained. In the phase of vegetative growth is when more water is required and it is recommended to give an irrigation about 10 to 15 days before flowering.
During the flowering phase is the most critical period because of it will depend on the fruit set and the amount of production obtained so irrigation is advised to maintain moisture and allow an effective pollination and fruit set.
Finally, for the thickening and maturation of the ear, the amount of water applied must be reduced.
The following table shows the most convenient irrigation doses for corn cultivation (in localized irrigation).