Black corn (black maize) has not only an unusual color and sweet taste, but also medicinal properties. Thanks to this, it is used not only in cooking, but also in traditional medicine. With proper care, culture can be grown in Russia.
Black corn
Black corn is considered healthier than yellow
Black corn helps in the fight against various diseases
Description of the culture, useful properties, application
The homeland of black corn is South America. Initially, it was grown in the highlands of Peru. For centuries, black maize has been used to prepare traditional dishes, healing drinks and tinctures.
Nutritional Information of Black Corn:
- proteins - 10 g per 100 g of grain;
- carbohydrates - 60 g;
- fats - 4.9 g.
Thanks to fats and proteins, the culture is nutritious, its calorie content is 325 kcal.
In addition to the main nutrients, black maize grain contains:
- B vitamins (B1, B4, B5, B6), H, PP, tocopherol, carotene, retinol;
- silicon;
- manganese;
- selenium;
- cobalt;
- molybdenum;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- copper.
The composition of black corn, in contrast to yellow, includes anthocyanin pigments, which give it a dark color. These are well-known antioxidants that prolong the youth of cells, tissues and the whole body.
Black corn is more healthy than yellow. Grains are sweeter in taste, as they contain more protein, not starch. Not only culinary dishes can be prepared from black maize, but also drinks, decoctions and tinctures that have a medicinal effect and are used in the fight against various diseases, including oncology, based on grains, ears and stigmas. The product has no significant contraindications, it can be used by all people, except for patients with thrombophlebitis and peptic ulcer.
How to plant black corn?
Black corn grows best in conditions close to the conditions in its homeland. Black maize loves heat and does not tolerate a sharp drop in temperature. Culture can grow well only in the southern regions, but in the middle lane and even more so in Siberia it will be quite problematic to grow it.
Black maize prefers loose and light, fertile, moderately moist soil. It can be sown in areas where legumes, nightshade, cabbage and root crops used to grow.
Black maize pollen is carried by the wind, so when planted next to several varieties of culture, they can become dusty. To avoid this, plant black corn away from the usual yellow.
You can sow seeds on the beds in early May. Before sowing, the selected grains are soaked for 0.5 days in warm water, and then transferred to a wet cloth and kept in it for another 1-2 days. Seeds are immersed in the soil to a depth of 5 cm on average. The distance between plants should be at least 20-25 cm in a row and 0.7 cm in aisle.
Crop care during cultivation
During the growing season, the plant requires traditional care measures.
Watering
Despite the fact that black maize tolerates drought well, it must be watered, especially until the seedlings are well rooted. After young plants become stronger, they will not need water so much. Adult corn for a long time can do without watering.
Weed control
Corn is a tall and powerful plant, but at the initial stage of growth it needs weeding and cultivation. After the plants rise to a height of about 0.7 m, weeds will not be able to prevent them.
Top dressing
Corn needs nitrogen and phosphorus throughout its growing season. Culture also needs trace elements: boron, manganese, zinc, copper.
Fertilizers are added to the maize plot during its preparation in the fall. For 1 square. he needs 10-15 kg of manure, 30-90 g of phosphorus, 30-60 g of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers (without chlorine content). If there is a deficiency of boron on sandy soils, manganese on neutral or alkaline, and zinc on soddy-podzolic, gray soils and chernozems, then the soil is enriched with fertilizers containing these trace elements.
The following dressings are produced in the phase of 5-7 leaves and during the throwing of panicles. Use a mixture of nitrate or urea, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, various trace elements.
Harvesting
The ripening period of black corn is 85-120 days. The length of the growing season depends on the variety and weather.
If the cobs are grown for food or canning, then they are plucked in the phase of milk ripeness, when they still have a lot of water and sugars. Corn is boiled on the cob or food is prepared from them. Young ears are kept in the refrigerator to keep moisture in them.
Grains of fully ripe corn are solid and suitable only for the manufacture of flour. They are stored in a cool, dry place for a long time - at least until the next harvest. Green leaves can be used to feed animals.
Exotic black corn can also be grown in warm regions of Russia. Black maize is unpretentious, grows rapidly and can become not only a food product, but also a harmless natural medicine.