LATICA

LATICA — this is a medium-early, two-line hybrid of corn (Zea mays L.), intended for grain production. The plant is characterized by high height, medium leaf blade width, and a weakly conical ear shape with short length and thin diameter. The grain has an intermediate type, closer to flinty, with yellow coloring on the upper and lower parts. The vegetation period is approximately 128-130 days, allowing the hybrid to be successfully grown in the Central and Volgo-Vyatka regions with high yields — up to 146.7 c/ha in the Central region and up to 75.5 c/ha in the Volgo-Vyatka region. Anthocyanic coloring is present at moderate intensity on the ear stalk, while other parts of the plant have weak or absent anthocyanic coloring. To enhance the effectiveness of corn crop protection, LATICA is recommended to be treated with a systemic insecticidal seed treatment based on clothianidin (600 g/l). This product belongs to the neonicotinoid class and ensures uniform distribution within the plant, protecting it from a complex of soil and above-ground pests, including May beetle larvae, for 35-40 days. The seed treatment combines well with fungicides, enabling comprehensive protection against pests and diseases. In intensive agricultural production and to reduce yield losses due to pests, an important element is a complex of agronomic and organizational measures. The best predecessors for corn are winter cereals and grain legumes; however, even with proper crop rotation, an insecticidal protective stage is required, starting with seed treatment. This approach ensures reliable protection of plants in early development stages and contributes to achieving high yields of the LATICA hybrid.