Corn seedling raising technology and methods

Corn is an important food crop in China and has a wide range of uses. It can not only be eaten fresh, but also processed into various items and applied to all walks of life. There are several ways to grow corn seedlings. Let’s learn about corn seedling cultivation techniques and methods.

1. Seedbed seedling raising technology

The area ratio of the seedbed to the field should be controlled at 1:50. The width of the seedbed is 1.2 to 1.5 meters. A 2-centimeter-thick substrate or fine sand is laid on the bottom as an isolation layer. The upper layer is covered with 10-centimeter-thick nutrient soil and then divided into 5-square-centimeter squares after raking. Water thoroughly and disinfect the soil the day before sowing. Sow 1 seed in each square, cover with 3 to 4 cm of soil, compact lightly and water again to ensure the soil remains moist. The surface of the bed is covered with ground film, and an arch shed is built, and the film is fixed with soil to prevent wind . When the seedlings grow to the 2-leaf 1-heart stage, start controlling their growth to avoid excessive growth. Harden the seedlings 5 ​​to 7 days before transplanting, gradually reduce covering, control moisture, keep the soil moderately dry, allow the seedlings to adapt to cold and drought, and improve the survival rate after transplanting.

If the temperature drops below 0℃, cover the plant with a film at night to prevent frost damage. When the local temperature is stable at above 12℃, transplanting can be carried out using the method of making holes and filling the seedlings with soil. After transplanting, compact the soil, water thoroughly to allow the roots to take root, and cover the ground with film again.

2. Nutrient pot seedling method

Use a pot maker to make the nutrient soil into a cylindrical nutrient pot with a diameter of 6 cm and a height of 6 to 8 cm. The nutrient pots are arranged on the seedbed, with 1 to 2 cm thick fine sand at the bottom to protect the roots from damage when transplanting. The sowing, covering film and management methods are the same as those for seedling cultivation in seedbeds. The carrier function of the nutrient pot helps to improve the root environment of the seedlings, ensure nutrient supply , reduce root damage during transplanting, promote corn growth and increase yield.

3. Paper tube seedling raising method

Use fixing tools such as wooden sticks to unfold the paper tube and fix it on the seedbed. Fill the paper tube with nutrient soil, and the sowing and management methods are the same as those for growing seedlings in nutrient pots.

4. Plug tray seedling technology

Lay the hole tray flat on the seedbed, press lightly into the soil to ensure stability, fix it with soil around it, and fill the holes with nutrient soil, 1 cm away from the tray mouth. Water thoroughly before sowing, sow 1 seed in each hole, the sowing depth should not exceed 0.5 cm, cover with 0.5 cm thick nutrient soil, and cover with a double layer of film. Keep it sealed from sowing to when the seedlings are all grown, then ventilate and cool appropriately, and do not add water unless necessary. When the seedlings reach 2 leaves, transplant them individually by making holes in the mulch, covering the soil and compacting it moderately.

Compared with seedling cultivation in nutrient pots, plug tray seedling cultivation saves labor and has a short seedling cultivation cycle of only 6 to 7 days, effectively alleviating the pressure of busy spring farming season. After transplanting, the plug-tray seedlings have fast root development, strong absorption capacity, vigorous growth, and a shorter seedling acclimatization period. They can resume growth 5 to 7 days earlier than the nutrient pot seedlings.

The above is an introduction to the methods of corn seedling cultivation. You can choose the seedling cultivation method that suits you according to your own situation, and also combine it with the correct seedling cultivation time.