Corn planting time

my country's main corn producing areas are in the Northeast, Huanghuai Plain, Southwest, Northwest and other regions. Corn is also grown in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other places. The Northeast region has become the largest corn production area in my country due to its unique natural conditions and policy support. Let’s learn and understand the corn planting time.

1. Corn planting time

The sowing time for seasonal corn is usually from the end of April to the beginning of May, but the key is that the ground temperature must be stable at above 12℃ so that the seeds can germinate smoothly within 7 days. If the ground temperature is lower than this temperature, the seeds will stay in the soil for too long, and not only will the germination rate be reduced, but even if they germinate, the seedlings that grow may be weak. Therefore, farmers need to pay close attention to the temperature during spring sowing, arrange the sowing time reasonably, and avoid sowing too early.

Planting spring corn too early does not always mean a higher yield. In fact, planting too early may result in reduced yields and an increased incidence of pests and diseases such as corn dwarf disease, spider mites, and corn leaf spot. This is mainly because during the pollination and grain filling period, if there is hot and rainy weather, corn is prone to bald tips or missing grains. According to research, planting corn 15 to 20 days before the local wheat harvest is often the period for obtaining the highest yield.

In addition, when choosing corn varieties, we should not only choose excellent varieties that are adapted to local climatic conditions, but also consider their comprehensive characteristics such as lodging resistance and stress resistance. You should know that some varieties are not resistant to adversity and encounter high temperatures and continuous rainy weather during the flowering and pollen shedding period, which leads to low temperatures. As a result, there are serious problems such as bald tips and shriveled grains, and corn cobs becoming gourd-shaped or missing rows.

2. Precautions for corn planting

It is not advisable to sow corn too early in spring, because low temperatures will slow down the germination rate, increase the risk of powdery and bad seeds, and may also induce head smut, especially in northern regions. The spring climate is changeable, and early sowing may lead to spring drought and late spring cold, affecting crop growth. It is recommended that farmers postpone the sowing time appropriately according to the local climate. The suitable time for sowing in the Huanghuai region is late April, while that in the Northeast and Northwest regions is early May. When sowing, ensure that the ground temperature at about 10 cm is stably above 12°C. If you need to sow earlier, you can use mulch to cover the seeds and pay close attention to the weather forecast to prepare for cold snaps.

When choosing corn seeds , you should pay attention to the purity, clarity, germination rate and moisture content of the seeds. The country has clear standards for these indicators. The purity and clarity of first-level seeds must be no less than 98%, the germination rate must be no less than 85%, and the moisture content must not exceed 13%; the standards for second-level seeds are similar, but the purity must be no less than 96%. Selecting high-quality seeds is the key to ensuring healthy growth of corn.

Planting depth is also very important. Sowing too deep or too shallow may result in uneven emergence of seedlings and affect crop growth. When the soil moisture is moderate, the sowing depth is generally 3-5 cm; in loose and easily drying sandy loam, the depth can be appropriately increased, but not more than 8 cm. When sowing, be careful to maintain a consistent depth to ensure uniform emergence.

After planting, soil moisture management is also critical. Continuous rainy weather may cause the soil to be too wet, and the seeds may be soaked in water for a long time, which may lead to suffocation due to lack of oxygen. In the rainy areas in the south, measures should be taken to clear ditches and drain water to keep the soil aerated. In addition, it is not advisable to maintain excessive humidity for a long time after sowing, so as not to affect the normal germination of seeds.

When using herbicides , apply them strictly according to the recommended concentration to avoid pesticide damage. The closed weeding method after sowing and before seedlings emerge, which is commonly used by farmers in the Northeast, sometimes causes phytotoxicity to corn, manifested as roots without buds, or buds without roots. When using herbicides such as 2,4-D butyl ester, pay attention to the dosage and temperature, and avoid applying at low temperatures.

Underground pests such as wireworms and cutworms can also cause damage to corn. It can be controlled through soil treatment, spraying pesticides and spreading toxic soil. For example, mixing chlorpyrifos with fine soil or slag and spreading it on the fields can effectively kill pests. At the same time, spraying pyrethroid insecticides or using DDT emulsifiable concentrate for stem and leaf spraying can also effectively control underground pests.

In short, the sowing time, variety selection and field management of spring corn all have important impacts on yield and quality. Farmers need to scientifically arrange sowing time and select suitable varieties according to local climate conditions, soil conditions and variety characteristics to ensure healthy growth and harvest of corn.