Packaging and practices of speciality type of corn : Popcorn

Chandra Kumar Singh *

Corn (Zea mays Linn) is one of the important cereal crops in the world. It plays a vital role in agricultural economy both as food for men and feed for animals, because of its higher yield potential compared to other cereals so it is called as "Queen of Cereals".

In India 49% of corn is used in poultry feed industry, 12% as animal feed and 25% as food in various forms. Currently in India depending upon its type, corn is used in various forms. Popcorn (Zea mays var. everta) is perhaps the most primitive of the surviving race of corn.

It is a most popular food-stuff in peri-urban areas in big cities of all over the world. This corn type is characterised by a very hard, corneous endosperm containing only a small portion of soft starch. Popcorn is essentially small-kemelled flint type.

In popcorn several grin colours are grown viz., white, yellow, red, etc. However, yellow types are more common. When kernels of popcorn are heated, they explode and produce large puffed flakes (popping). Once popped, popcorn has two basic shapes

PACKAGING AND PRACTICES OF POPCORN CLIMATE

Popcorn requires considerable moisture and warmth form germination to flowering. The most suitable temperature for germination is 210C and for growth 320C. Extremely high temperature and low humidity during flowering period damage the foliage desiccate the pollen and interfere with proper pollination, resulting in poor grain formation.

SOIL

Any type of soil is suitable for produce a good popcorn. Soil pH should be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 to get a good crop. Pop corn seeds germinate more slowly than dent corn, and the seedlings grow at slower rate.

Thus, medium to coarse textured soils, should improve germination, emergence and seedling establishment. The popcorn root system is less extensive than that of normal corn. Therefore, high clay soils and or poorly drained soils will weaken the roots, increase lodging and ultimately reduce corn yield.

LAND PREPARATION

Land preparation for popcorn is similar to that of normal corn. To ensure the optimum moisture for germination, pre-sowing irrigation should be applied. After reaching the field to tilth condition, two cross ploughings with disc plough and one ploughing with cultivator followed by planking were done for good seedbed preparation.

If needed, a spike-tooth harrow or other finishing tools can be used with the last pass over the field to smooth the seedbed.

SOWING TIME

Optimum time of sowing depends on type of variety, weather condition, soil type and irrigation facility etc. However, most appropriate time of sowing is the last week of May to the first fortnight of July.

Planting later than 15th July often results in a reduction of yield. Early planting permits the crop to mature and reach the desired harvesting moisture of 15-18% by early to mid-October. Rabi sowing preferably is completed in between October end and middle of November so that the crop can establish itself before the onset of winter.

SEED AND SOWING METHOD

Seed rate for popcorn is lower than for normal corn because of its smaller kernel size. Seed was dibbled on the side of the ridges at a spacing of 15-20 cm keeping 3-4 cm seed depth. With irrigation facility the population should be from 80,000 to 83,000 plants/ha. A slightly lower population is used for dry land areas. Thus, recommended seed rate of popcorn varieties is 12-14 kg/ha.

SEED TREATMENT

Before sowing of the pop corn, the kernel/seed should be treated with Imidacloprid @ 2m1/kg seed, to avoid the insect attack. VARIETIES Amber Pop, Jawahar Popcorn-11, pearl Pop, VL Amber


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