Corn

Production in
the
Philippines
Alfar
Araña
Guerrero
Mercader
Brief Introduction about
Corn
● Corn production in the Philippines is a significant
component of the country's agricultural sector. The
Philippines is one of the top corn-producing countries in
Asia. Corn, also known as maize, is grown extensively
across various regions of the Philippines, contributing to
both food security and livelihoods.
Unlike most grasses, corn plants have
separate male and female flowers. The
tassel at the top of the plant contains the
male reproductive organs that produce the
pollen. Lower, where the leaf blades attach
to the stem, the plant forms female flowers
that contain the ovules. Each ovule has a
long, thin silk that grows up to the top of
the cob. After the silks at the top of the cob
capture the pollen grains on the sticky
stigmas, the male reproductive cells travel
down the long styles to pollinate the
How Nutritious?
Sweet corn is a delicious and nutritious vegetable.
One cup of sweet corn provides 125 calories of
energy, with much of the energy coming from
carbohydrates in the sweet and starchy kernels.
Low in fat and sodium, corn provides some protein
and a substantial amount of dietary fiber as well.
A serving of sweet corn also provides good
amounts of potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin C
.
Major Regions:

Corn is cultivated in various

regions across the Philippines,
with major production areas
including Cagayan Valley,
Central Luzon, Western
Visayas, and Northern
Mindanao.
History of
Corn
● Corn, (Zea mays), cereal plant of
the grass family (Poaceae) and its
edible grain. The domesticated crop
originated in the Americas.

● Corn was first domesticated by

native peoples in southern Mexico
about 10,000 years ago. Modern
corn is believed to have been
derived from the Balsas teosinte
(Zea mays parviglumis), a wild
● Since its introduction into Europe by
Christopher Columbus and other
explorers and colonizers, corn has spread
to all areas of the world suitable to its
cultivation.

● Corn was originally brought by the

Spanish colonizers from Mexico through
the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade.
Earliest records of corn cultivation date
back to the 1700s, when the Spaniards
introduced three crops in Cebu: tobacco,
6 types of Corn in the
Philippines
1. Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn refers to long, yellow
ears of corn, often also called
Japanese sweet corn, sugar corn, or
table corn. These are long ears,
with almost bright green husks and
very yellow kernels.
2. Wild Violet Corn
Wild violet corn is a rare Philippine
corn variety characterized by a mix
of white and purple kernels. It’s
sticky, waxy, and slightly sweet
when harvested.
3. White Lagkitan
White lagkitan (also known as waxy
corn or glutinous corn) is one of the
most common varieties harvested
in the country. You’ll find it in many
corn-producing regions, where it’s
available either fresh, dried, or
canned. Dried lagkitan (hominy)
can be ground into a fine powder
such as cornmeal, grits, or
4. Visayan White Corn
Visayan white corn (tinigib) is a
variety of Philippine corn generally
found in the Cebu region. It boasts
a low glycemic index, making it
slower to digest resulting in a more
gradual release of glucose in the
body. This, plus the fact that it
tastes like rice, makes it a common
rice substitute.
5. Purple Corn
Purple corn is common in the Andes
region of South America. A few
years ago, it was introduced to the
Philippines, becoming a hit for its
high antioxidant content.
When harvested, purple corn is
sticky and sweet. It’s typically
soaked in boiling water and used as
a food coloring.
6. Young Corn
Young corn refers to mais harvested
at its early stage, while the stalks
are still young and immature. Their
mildly sweet flavor and snappy
texture make them an
indispensable ingredient for chop
suey.
 Hybrid Corn Local Breed Corn
Produced by crossing two genetically Also known as landrace or open-pollinated
different parent varieties to create offspring varieties, have been developed over time
with desirable traits, such as higher yield, through natural selection and adaptation to
disease resistance, or better tolerance to local environmental conditions. These
specific environmental conditions. varieties are often traditional and have
been cultivated by farmers for generations.

Hybrid corn tends to exhibit genetic Local breed corn often shows greater
uniformity among plants within a given genetic diversity within a population. This
diversity can be advantageous in adapting
hybrid variety. This uniformity is desirable
to a range of environmental conditions and
for commercial agriculture because it pest pressures. However, it may also result
ensures consistent performance across the in variability in plant characteristics within
field, such as uniform height, maturity, and the same variety.
yield.
Perform well under certain conditions but They may exhibit greater resilience to
may not be as adaptable to diverse environmental stressors and pests endemic
to the region. However, their yields may
environments compared to local breed
not always match those of high-yielding
corn.
Short Variety of
Corn
Advantages of Short Disadvantages of Short
Variety Corn: Variety Corn:

Early Maturity Yield Potential

Drought Tolerance Limited Root Development
Space Efficiency Less Biomass Production
Long Variety of
Corn
Advantages of Long Variety Disadvantages of Long
Corn: Variety Corn:

Higher Yield Potential Late Maturity

Deep Root System Space Requirements
Flexibility in Planting Increased Lodging Risk
Growth development of Corn
VE - 4 to 5 days after planting under ideal conditions, but up to 2 weeks or longer under cool or dry conditions.

V1-V5 - At V1, round-tipped leaf on first collar appears, nodal roots elongate. By V2, plant is 2 to 4 inches tall and
relies on the energy in the seed. V3 begins 2 to 4 weeks after VE, and plant switches from kernel reserves to
photosynthesis and nodal roots begin to take over. Around V4, broadleaf weeds should be controlled to avoid loss. By
V5, the number of potential leaf and ear shoots are determined. Plant is 8 to 12 inches tall and growing point remains
below soil surface.

V6-V8 - Beginning 4 to 6 weeks after VE, the growing point grows above the soil surface, increasing susceptibility to
hail, frost or wind damage. The nodal root system is dominant. At V7, rapid growth phase and stem elongation begin.
Number of kernel rows is determined and potential kernels per row begins and continues through V15/16. By V8, the
plant reaches 24 inches tall.

V9-V11 - Around 6 to 8 weeks after VE, corn begins steady and rapid period of growth and dry matter accumulation.
At V9, tassel is developing rapidly, but is not yet visible. New leaves appear every 2 to 3 days and ear shoots are
developing.

V12-Vnth - By V12, the plant is about 4 feet tall or more. Nutrients and water are in high demand to meet growth
needs. All leaves are full size and roughly half are exposed to sunlight. Brace roots are developing and the potential
number of kernels per ear and size of the ear are still being determined. Insect and hail injury can reduce the number
of kernels that develop. The plant is about two weeks away from silking at V15. The tassel is near full size, but not
visible. Moisture and nutrient deficiencies at this time can reduce the number of potential kernels per row resulting in
shorter ears and lower yield potential.

VT - Beginning around 9 to 10 weeks after emergence, corn enters a critical period where successful pollination is
Cultural Management practices of Corn
1. Choosing the appropriate variety or hybrid and securing good quality seed.
- In choosing the appropriate variety, consider adaptability to climatic conditions
potential yield, maturity, and market demand. Use only high quality seeds to avoid
thinning of seedlings or expensive replanting operations.

2. Land Preparation
- In areas where continuous growing of corn is practiced, plow once when the soil
moisture condition permits. Make furrows at the day of planting 75 cm apart at 8 cm
depth.

3. Water Management
The field should be irrigated at the following critical stages:
- 4th leaf stage (12-15 days after planting)
- 25-30 days after planting
- 40-45 days after planting
- 55-60 days after planting
- 70-75 days after planting
4. Fertilization
- Determine the fertilizer group appropriate to your province/Locality.

5. Planting
- For Hybrids, plant 1-2 seeds/hill spaced 20 cm apart. Some hybrids with erect leaves
can tolerate closer spacing of up to 15 cm.
- For OPV’s, plant a 25 cm of farther between hills.

6. Thinning, Cultivation, and Pest Management

- Monitor pest damage and/or pest populations as well as the presence of natural
enemies on a weekly interval starting from 3 days after emergence.
- Do shallow cultivation or off-barring at 14 days after planting to control weeds.
- If the number of growing plants is beyond the expected, uproot the excess ones
carefully.

7. Sidedressing, Hilling-up and Pest Management

- Apply the remaining amount of recommended nitrogenous fertilizer in straight band
along the furrows about 6 cm away from the plants. (Side dressing)
- Cover the fertilizer immediately after application by hilling-up the original furrow depth.
8. Crop Care and Maintenance
- Continuously monitor the crop even from the seedling stage and immediately
remove and burn those with unusual signs like chlorotic steaks, mosaic, rot, etc.

9. Harvesting
- Harvest at the appropriate stage depending on the maturity of your variety or
hybrid (90-95 days for early and 105-110 days for full season).
- Corn is ready for harvesting when black layer develops at grain’s point of
attachment to cob, kernels are glazed, and the leaves and husks are dry.
- After harvest, promptly dry the ears to 18% moisture content for efficient shelling.
This can be done through sun drying for 2-3 days or mechanical drying for 6-8
hours.
- Dry the shelled grains further to 14% moisture content for better storage.
- Provide dry and sanitary conditions in all phases of grain processing, transport
and storage, to prevent the growth of mycotoxin producing fungi.
Insect pest of Corns
1.Cutworms
Several cutworm species (Agrotis ipsilon,
Peridroma saucia, Feltia ducens) are involved, but
those that feed just above the soil surface or just
beneath it cause most of the injury. In either case,
the top of the plant is severed from its roots, and
the larva (caterpillar) that did the cutting may
usually be found curled up in the soil close to the
stub of the cut plant, within 2 inches (5 cm) of the
surface. Most species move from plant to plant on
successive nights, while some remain to feed on
2. Corn Leaf Aphid
Aphid feeding results in stunted and deformed
tassels, development of black mold on the aphid
honeydew (a sugary material excreted by aphids
as they feed on plant sap) on the leaves and silk,
and poor pollination and grain development.
3. Corn Flea Beetle

The corn flea beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) has a

black, oval-shaped body, tinged with bronze or
bluish-green. Adult beetles leave numerous, small,
circular feeding holes and bleached out spots or
stripes on the corn leaves. Such direct feeding is
insignificant unless large numbers of beetles
attack slow-growing corn,
4. Corn earworm

Helicoverpa zea, commonly known as the corn

earworm, is a species in the family Noctuidae. The
larva of the moth Helicoverpa zea is a major
agricultural pest. Since it is polyphagous during
the larval stage, the species has been given many
different common names, including the cotton
bollworm and the tomato fruitworm.
5. Armyworm

In corn, they sometimes burrow into the ear,

feeding on kernels in the same manner as corn
earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Unlike corn earworm,
which tends to feed down through the silk before
attacking the kernels at the tip of the ear, fall
armyworm will feed by burrowing through the husk
on the side of the ear.
Diseases of Corn
● Anthracnose leaf blight of corn caused by the fungus Colletotrichum
graminicola. The fungus overwinters on corn debris producing spores that infect
the next year’s crop. Mild, wet conditions favor disease as spores are spread
through rain splashing. Anthracnose leaf blight occurs early in the growing season
affecting lower leaves initially with late season disease progression affecting the
upper leaves.

● Also caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola, Anthracnose stalk rot of

corn can lead to reduced ear development. Conditions favoring this disease
include warm humid weather especially when corn follows corn Rain splashing
can carry spores from blighted leaves and corn debris. The fungus overwinters on
leaf and stalk debris serving as a source of disease in upcoming growing seasons.

● Common rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia sorghi. Late occurring infections
have limited impact on yield. The fungus overwinters on plants in southern states
and airborne spores are wind-blown to northern states during the growing season.
● Common smut caused by the fungus Ustilago maydis. Common smut may infect
all above ground parts of the plant but causes the greatest economic losses when
the ear becomes infected or if smut galls form on the stalks immediately above
the ears.

● Eyespot, caused by the fungus Kabatiella zeae. Eyespot is favored by cool, wet
weather. Spores are spread long distance by wind and locally by rain splashing
from crop debris in soil onto host plants.

● Gray leaf spot is caused by the fungus Cercospora zeae-maydis. Gray leaf spot
is favored by wet humid weather as often found in valley microclimates.
Additionally, it is favored in situations with reduced tillage and continuous corn.
Airborne spores are spread locally and regionally from corn debris.
● Northern corn leaf blight caused by the fungus Exerohilum turcicum. Northern
corn leaf blight is favored by wet humid cool weather typically found later in the
growing season. Spores of the fungus that causes this disease can be transported
by wind long distances from infected fields. Spread within and between fields
locally also relies on wind blown spores.

● Northern corn leaf spot caused by the fungus Cochliobolus carbonum has
become more prevalent with the greater use of no-till systems.Northern corn leaf
spot is favored by high humidity and warm weather. Spores can overwinter in
crop residue serving as inoculum for subsequent crops. Airborne spores can be
transported long distances from infected fields.

● Stewart’s Bacterial Leaf Blight is caused by the bacterium Pantoea

stewartii.This disease is transmitted to corn by corn flea beetles. Flea beetles
carry the bacterium and introduce it into the corn when feeding. Disease
occurrence and severity can be predicting based on the temperature of the
preceding winter. Warmer winters can favor increased survival and higher
Potential Products from
Corn
● Corn starch
● Corn Oil
● Corn Syrup
● Corn Chips and
Flakes
● Paper
● Handmade
Products
● etc.
Corn
Production in
the
Philippines
Alfar
Araña
Guerrero
Mercader