A real story about Kamparis corn hybrid through a child’s eyes…

This is me, Laur and I am 8 years old…

… and this is my mommy, Violeta, she works with KWS Seminte Romania:

When I grow up, I would also like to work with KWS.

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One day, after mom and Roxana, her colleague, together with Adriana, from Innovation Experience agency have
organized Kamparis corn hybrid grand launch, I’ve seen a great picture when doctor Nelu Voinea (ouch! He’s not a
real doctor with needles and stuff, is he?) has opened a safe full of Kamparis corn seeds:

I was so impressed by this picture that I really-really wanted to learn about and see the Kamparis corn really
growing. Therefore, mommy has decided that best way for me to start learning is to have our own little
experiment…

…It all started in April 2015, when mom brought few Kamparis corn seeds from KWS seed plant. We were really
anxious for the weather to become proper for corn sowing. Mom told me that the soil temperature, at 5-6 cm
depth, should be 8-10 degrees, which means second or even third decade of April. Oh, that’s such a long wait! But,
finally, the weather became nice and, on 10th of April we started creating our little farm.

So, we started preparing the land…

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… And then admiring the corn seed…

And finally plant the corn:

Mom says she learned that typical corn plants develop 20 to 21 total leaves, silk about 65 days after emergence,
and mature around 125 days after emergence. The specific time interval can vary among hybrids, environments,
planting date, and location. The length of time between each growth stage, therefore, is dependent upon these
circumstances. For example, an early maturing hybrid may produce fewer leaves or progress through the different
growth stages at a faster rate than what I described here. In contrast, a late-maturity hybrid (like Kamparis) may
develop more leaves and progress through each growth stage at a slower pace.

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We’ve found this picture on the internet* so we can detect, observe and compare our corn plant with the manual.

So, let us “grow” along the vegetation stages of my new friend, Kamparis:

First stage: Emergence

It lasts for 8-16 days and requires minimum 8-10 ° C for germination, temperature of less than -4 ° C could cause
losses.
Coleoptile reaches the soil surface and exposure to sunlight causes elongation of the coleoptile and mesocotyl to
stop. The growing point, located just above the mesocotyl, is about 0.75 inches below the soil surface. Embryonic
leaves rapidly develop and grow through the coleoptilar tip. Seminal root growth begins to slow and nodal roots
are initiated at the crown.

Oh, so many technical stuff! Mom showed me this picture** of corn plants showing healthy development of
seminal roots, mesocotyl, coleoptiles, and radicle, so I will understand better how corn grows.

Second stage: First leaf collar

Is recorded after about 10 days after emergence; coronary roots begin to form; plant nutrition is made difficult due
to poorly developed root system. Lowermost leaf (short with rounded tip) has a visible leaf collar. Nodal roots
begin elongation.

…So, finally, after the long wait, this is my Kamparis on 29th of April, in its second stage of development:

*Corn Growth Stage Development http://weedsoft.unl.edu/documents/growthstagesmodule/corn/corn.htm

**Corn plants http://www.aganytime.com/Corn/Pages/Article.aspx?-Saturated-Soil-Effects-on-Corn-Germination-&-
Emergence&article=638

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Third stage: Third leaf collar

The growing point remains below the soil surface as little stalk elongation has occurred. Lateral roots begin to grow
from the nodal roots and growth of the seminal root system has ceased. All leaves and ear shoots that the plant
will produce are initiated at this stage. Since the growing point remains below the soil surface, cold soil
temperatures may increase the time between leaf stages, increase the total number of leaves formed, delay tassel
formation, and reduce nutrient uptake. Hope that’s not going to happen!

…but, unfortunately, something has happened.

On 9th of May, while waiting for the third stage to take place, we’ve notice with great concern that our baby
Kamparis is sick. This is how it looks:

So, the first thing we did was to take a look into the technical manual to find out exactly what is the disease and try
give him the proper medicine to get well soon. We have compared our picture with this one:

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 …and this is how we found out that the disease’s complicated name is
Helminthosporium turcicum. Mom said that I shouldn’t be sad, because this issue will help us learn more about
corn. She also told me that our corn got sick because we live in a very humid area and this disease is typical for
these regions.
So we run to the Phytopharmacy to buy the fungicide to treat it….

To be continued