What is Germination and emergence vigour?
Maize seed needs adequate soil moisture and temperature to germinate; sowing is generally not recommended before the soil warms above about 10 °C. In cold, wet soils germination slows and the seed stays exposed to diseases for longer.
Varieties with strong emergence vigour come up more evenly and at the same time even if conditions turn poor after sowing. Uniform emergence keeps plants across the field at the same growth stage.
Why does it matter when choosing seed?
Reaching the target plant density depends first of all on seeds germinating and emerging. Germination and emergence vigour matter most for early sowing and cool soils.
CasSeed varieties related to this topic
The relevant characteristics are listed on each variety’s technical sheet.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A late-maturity grain hybrid with fast dry-down and outstanding standability.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
A flinty red-grained hybrid with high protein and complete tip fill.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A widely adapted grain hybrid with high test weight, suited to wider spacing.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
Complete tip fill, high test weight and a hybrid that rewards denser planting.
FAO 650 · CRM 117 · Grain and silage maize seed
Broad ears and a strong stalk — a mid-late hybrid for both grain and silage.
FAO 500–550 · Hybrid maize seed
Early, drought-tolerant and widely adaptable — the leader of its maturity group.
Related terms
Plant density
Plant density is the number of plants growing per unit area, usually expressed as plants per decare or plants per hectare.
Plant spacing
Plant spacing shows how far apart seeds are sown within the row and how far apart the rows are; for maize it is given in centimetres as in-row and between-row distance.
Hybrid seed
Hybrid seed is first-generation (F1) seed produced by the controlled crossing of two genetically different parent lines.