How to cultivate and manage corn in the seedling stage for high yield?

During the corn planting process, the growth rate in the seedling stage is very fast. At this time, it is necessary to strengthen comprehensive management to improve the quality and yield in the later stage. So how to cultivate and manage corn in the seedling stage for high yield? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Squatting seedlings

The purpose of squatting is to promote massive root growth by controlling water supply, thereby laying a good foundation for the above-ground plants to absorb nutrients from a larger range. The time of squatting usually lasts from seedling emergence to jointing. However, squatting of seedlings cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, but should be done “appropriately for the seedlings.” If the soil structure is good, the moisture and temperature are appropriate, the seedlings grow vigorously and the leaves are dark green, such plots should be screened for seedling growth control.

2. Seedling replacement

The amount of corn seedlings to be preserved in the field is large. To obtain an ideal yield level, not only strong seedlings are needed but also uniform seedlings. Therefore, during the corn seedling stage , field observation of the seedling conditions should be strengthened, and areas with seedling shortages should be replanted in time. Replanting can be done if there are many seedling shortages in the early stage. In the later stage, seedlings must be supplemented in time, mainly by digging out the seedlings from areas where the sowing is concentrated or relatively dense, with the soil, and then digging holes and transplanting them in areas where seedlings are missing. If conditions permit, it is best to water them after transplanting. The best time to transplant and supplement seedlings is before rainy days or after four or five o'clock in the afternoon on a sunny day.

3. Thinning

If the density of seedlings is too high, the corn stalks will be thin and weak, making it difficult to produce large ears. What is more troublesome is that the thin and tall stalks will greatly reduce the corn's ability to resist lodging, thus posing a hidden danger to later field growth and grain filling. The time for thinning and transplanting seedlings should be early rather than late, usually at the 3-4 leaf stage. If it is delayed to the 5-9 leaf stage, it will cause a significant reduction in yield, with the yield reduction ratio ranging from 14-27%. The principle of thinning is to remove the weak and keep the strong, remove the diseased and keep the strong.

4. Watering

After the corn seedlings emerge, drought may occur in some areas, causing the corn seedlings to be weak or even wilting and yellowing. In this case, timely irrigation and watering are necessary. Watering can prompt the unemerged corn to emerge as soon as possible. It is also beneficial to the growth of corn seedlings, increase their own resistance, reduce the harm of diseases and pests in the seedling stage, and lay the foundation for subsequent growth.

5. Fertilization

Top dressing during the seedling stage can promote the growth of roots, seedlings, leaves and stems. The specific time for top dressing should be determined according to the condition of the seedlings and soil fertility. In addition to chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers can also be applied. The corn seedling stage is also a critical period for the need for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Both phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer should be applied during the seedling stage, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be determined according to soil and seedling conditions.

6. Weeding

When corn is in the 3-5 leaf stage, it is the critical period for post-emergence weed control. Spraying corn post-emergence herbicides , on the one hand, the weeds grow smaller and have relatively weaker resistance to drugs, so the weed control effect is relatively good. On the other hand, the corn at this time is not so sensitive to herbicides and is not prone to drug damage. Common herbicides can also be sprayed throughout the field, such as Nicosulfuron + Atrazine, Mesotrione + Atrazine, Nicosulfuron + Mesotrione + Atrazine, etc. After 5 leaves, it is necessary to spray herbicides containing safeners.

7. Control the prosperity

The corn seedling stage is also a critical period for controlling growth. Generally, starting from 6 leaves, if the corn in the field grows vigorously, you can spray growth-control agents. The peak growth control period is around 8 leaves. By controlling growth, the root growth ability of corn can be increased. Not only will the drought resistance be enhanced, but it will also be less likely to fall over in the middle and late stages. It also improves the ability of corn to absorb water and fertilizer, which is ultimately conducive to high yields. Commonly used corn growth-control agents include ethephon, chlormequat, and mepiquat.

That’s it