THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY pec ......THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY pec i ft RUTGERS...
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THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY pec i ft RUTGERS COOPERATIVE Co r f choot EXTENSION raoi ^neei New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station . . — . ^ Agri-Tourism Series www.rce.rufsfefs.edu Growing an "A-maize-ing" Corn Maze William J. Sciarappa, Ph.D., Monmouth County Agricultural Agent & Joseph Heckman, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Soil Fertility M azes are a fun and effective way to increase farm revenue. When considering hosting a corn maze, review all state and local regula- tions, especially safety rules and fire regulations. Also, one should carefully consider the economical issues of design costs, land use, and market potential (See Table 1). The grower should then address important production practices. Breakage and lodging of corn stalks is often a concern in maintaining a maze through the fall season. Here are some suggestions for improving the standability of this entertainment field crop. Proper variety selection is a key component in assuring the success of any maze. Talk with your field corn hybrid salesperson about hybrid seed selection. Vendors are very familiar with each hybrid's special characteristics. Let them know the purpose for which you will be growing this corn. Ask them to suggest hybrids that have good stalk strength and resistance to lodging. Also, ask about the plant heights of the various hybrids that they suggest. Many New Jersey growers choose stalk heights from 7-9 feet tall. Let your supplier know that grain yield potential is not the primary consideration in the variety selection. Stalk rot is one of the most frequently observed diseases that usually can be traced to stress occurring at some critical point in the growing season. Moisture stress, disease development, and improper fertilization are the most common risk factors for stalk rot. Have your soil tested and pay particular attention to the potassium fertil- ity level. Potassium (K) and chloride (CI) are two nutri- ents that are critical to reducing the incidence of stalk rot and lodging. Optimum levels of potassium fertility can strengthen the corn stalk and reduce lodging. For soils that test in the medium range, apply 200 pounds of potash (K 2 0) per acre. For soils that test in the high range, apply 100 pounds per acre of K 2 0. Broadcast apply the potas- sium fertilizer just prior to planting. Use 0-0-60 or potassium chloride, also known as muriate of potash, as the potassium source. Also, check the soil pH and apply limestone if recommended by soil test. Plant the corn at a moderate plant population such as 20,000 plants per acre. Higher plant populations cause crop crowding, which leads to thinner plant stalks and susceptibility to lodging. Rotate the crop to a new field to avoid a build up of corn rootworms, and other diseases and pests that can weaken the root system and cause lodging. This is especially true in Northwestern New Jersey where northern and western rootworms are in- creasing even in a corn-soybean rotation. Resistant field corn hybrids or soil insecticides may be needed. Also, consider growing a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) hybrid. This genetic trait gives the corn plants resistance to European corn borer injury, which weakens the stalk and promotes lodging. Such varieties may lower pesticide applications which reduce exposure, and increase cost savings. Regulations, however, require that you must also grow some non-Bt corn in the same field so as to decrease the potential for creating future generations of resistance to the Bt technology. Be careful to avoid excessive applications of nitrogen fertilizer. Remember, you're not growing for maximum yield. The total nitrogen rate for the season should not exceed about 125 pounds per acre. Adjust this rate
Transcript of THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY pec ......THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY pec i ft RUTGERS...
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY p e c i ft
RUTGERS COOPERATIVE C o r f choot EXTENSION r a o i ^neei New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station . . — . ^
Agri-Tourism Series www.rce.rufsfefs.edu
Growing an "A-maize-ing" Corn Maze William J. Sciarappa, Ph.D., Monmouth County Agricultural Agent & Joseph Heckman, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Soil Fertility
M azes are a fun and effective way to increase farm revenue. When considering hosting a corn maze , review all state and local regula
t ions, especial ly safety rules and fire regulat ions. Also, one should carefully consider the economical issues of design costs, land use, and market potential (See Table 1). The grower should then address important product ion practices. Breakage and lodging of corn stalks is often a concern in mainta in ing a maze through the fall season. Here are some suggest ions for improving the standabili ty of this enter ta inment field crop.
Proper variety selection is a key component in assuring the success of any maze . Talk with your field corn hybrid salesperson about hybrid seed selection. Vendors are very familiar wi th each hybr id ' s special characterist ics. Let them know the purpose for which you will be growing this corn. Ask them to suggest hybrids that have good stalk strength and resis tance to lodging. Also, ask about the plant heights of the various hybrids that they suggest. Many N e w Jersey growers choose stalk heights from 7-9 feet tall. Let your supplier know that grain yield potential is not the pr imary considerat ion in the variety selection.
Stalk rot is one of the most frequently observed diseases that usual ly can be traced to stress occurring at some critical point in the growing season. Moisture stress, disease development , and improper fertilization are the most c o m m o n risk factors for stalk rot. Have your soil tested and pay part icular attention to the potass ium fertility level. Potass ium (K) and chloride (CI) are two nutrients that are critical to reducing the incidence of stalk rot and lodging. O p t i m u m levels of potass ium fertility can strengthen the corn stalk and reduce lodging. For soils that test in the m e d i u m range, apply 200 pounds of potash ( K 2 0 ) per acre. For soils that test in the high range, apply 100 pounds per acre of K 2 0 . Broadcas t apply the potass ium fertilizer jus t prior to plant ing. Use 0-0-60 or
potassium chloride, also known as muria te of potash, as the potassium source. Also , check the soil pH and apply l imestone if r ecommended by soil test.
Plant the corn at a modera te plant popula t ion such as 20,000 plants per acre. Higher plant popula t ions cause crop crowding, which leads to thinner plant stalks and susceptibili ty to lodging. Rotate the crop to a new field to avoid a build up of corn roo tworms, and other diseases and pests that can weaken the root sys tem and cause lodging. This is especially true in Nor thwes te rn N e w Jersey where northern and western roo tworms are increasing even in a corn-soybean rotation. Resistant field corn hybrids or soil insecticides may be needed. Also, consider growing a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) hybrid. This genetic trait gives the corn plants resistance to European corn borer injury, which weakens the stalk and promotes lodging. Such variet ies m a y lower pest icide applications which reduce exposure , and increase cost savings. Regulat ions, however , require that you must also grow some non-Bt corn in the same field so as to decrease the potential for creating future generat ions of resis tance to the Bt technology.
Be careful to avoid excessive applicat ions of ni t rogen fertilizer. Remember , you ' r e not g rowing for m a x i m u m yield. The total ni trogen rate for the season should not exceed about 125 pounds per acre. Adjust this rate
downward if the previous crop was a legume or the field has a history of manure or compost application. In these situations, use the pre-s idedress soil nitrate test to determine credits for ni t rogen available from the soil.
Plant this special purpose corn crop later than is typical for corn g r o w n for g r a i n — a r o u n d mid to late M a y or about 2 - 3 weeks later than normal. This delayed planting date helps to ensure better standability late in the season, and hopefully until Halloween. Also, the foliage may stay greener longer, and this increased moisture content will minimize fire hazards. Consider drilling your planting to strengthen corn rows, reduce wind sheer, and inhibit " lane changes" by excited customers. Only attempt this creative approach if your fields have a low weed pressure and a dependable, season-long herbicide program because there is no opportunity to use a sprayer or a cultivator. Another unor thodox approach is to seed al leyways with a grass cover crop of fescue or annual rye to reduce mud from foot traffic, and provide an inviting surface. Mowing the cover crop in the walkways can be a challenge in the maze.
Cutt ing the wa lkways requires special attention whether using herbicides with a hand sprayer, roto-till ing or m o w ing the young crop off at the proper t ime. The corn stage needs to be 8-10 unfolded leaves with the internal growing point well above the ground. The mower must cut this growing point off or regrowth will occur.
Dec ide on your in tended field s ize , wh ich often is from 1-3 or 5 acres. The current maze record is 11 14 acres. A 3 acre field of corn with 125 bushels /acre returns about $375 , but when used as a maze that can attract 1,500 customers at $4 a head, returns $6,000. Bear in mind the extra cash inputs for design, labor, maintenance , advert ising, promotion, and insurance liability.
Farming equipment and market ing extras such as signs can be obtained by exploring specialty company web sites catering to specialized agri-business niches . Before you begin to plot out your design in the field, make sure you contact experts nat ionwide as seen in the following web site references (Table 1). Identify the available design resources and learn how hand-held G P S systems can be used to assist in field layout. So do your product ion, design, and market ing homework in advance, and then proceed to engage customers in the classic fun of playing in a modern day corn field.
Table 1. Corn Maze Information Sources
Purdue: www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/cgg5/maze.htm. Numerous links to commercial com maze sites.
The Boiler Mazer: www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/ maze/index.html. Demonstration of a 5 acre com maze.
Great Adventure Corn Mazes: www.cornmazes.com. 208-357-7837. Planning, support, supplies, GPS design.
Precision Mazes: www.precisionmazes.com. 816-246-9056. The latest in GPS technology.
The Maize: www.cornfieldmaze.com. Photo on front page. 801-427-8323. Getting started information.
Mazeplay Inc.: www.mazeplay.com. 208-357-7837. Creative designs, products, and nationwide locations.
Corn Maze Guidelines: www.firemarshal.state.md.us/ cornmaze.htm. Safety, local regulations.
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
2004 by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. This material may be copied for educational purposes only by not-for-profit accredited educational institutions.
Desktop publishing by RCE/Resource Center Published: June 2004
R U T G E R S COOPERATIVE E X T E N S I O N N.J. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
R U T G E R S , THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY NEW BRUNSWICK
Distributed in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of Congress on May 8 and lune 'i0. 1914. Rutgers Cooperative Extension works in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H. Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Director of Extension. Rutgers Cooperative Extension provides information and educational services
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