Applicability of plant protection products in different corn crops

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The permit documents specifically name the possible uses – for example, grain, silage, sweet corn, popcorn or fodder corn. These names determine which crops each plant protection product can be used in. In the case of herbicides, increased attention is required due to the different sensitivity of hybrids. The permitted use may differ depending on the type of crop, according to legal regulations and official practice.

Grain corn is harvested when the grains are fully ripe and the plant is dry

After that, it can be used for both food and feed purposes. Silage corn, on the other hand, is harvested green, when it has reached its maximum green mass and sugar and starch content, primarily for animal feed. The products permitted in the fodder corn crop can be used in silage corn as well as in grain corn grown for animal feed. The commodity corn category includes those grain corn uses that are not intended for direct human consumption. Plant protection products permitted for commodity corn can also be applied in grain corn for animal feed.

Nébih’s position is that all products permitted in sweet corn (with the exception of herbicides) can be used in popcorn

In order to support farmers’ decisions even more effectively, the authority will in the future specifically state in the authorisation document if a product can be used in popcorn. The naming is carried out by specialists even if the product is authorised in sweet corn, and the measure also affects products submitted for technological modification and review in addition to the new authorisation procedure.

It is important to highlight that popcorn and sweet corn hybrids react more sensitively to herbicides than grain or silage corn hybrids

Of these, sweet corn hybrids are the most sensitive, even more so than popcorn. Therefore, the use of herbicides in these crops requires special care. Extensive studies must be carried out to verify selectivity in order to authorise herbicides in sweet corn. Since different varieties and hybrids may react differently, warning sentences are included in the authorisation documents, for example: “The opinion of the variety maintainer must be sought before use regarding the use of the product in sweet corn.” Additional information regarding application may be included in the product’s license documents, so it is essential to familiarize yourself with the content of the license document before applying the product.

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