What to Do About Herbicide Damage in Corn? These Remedial Methods You Need to Know

During the growing period, corn can suffer from various pests and diseases, and to prevent these pests and diseases, various chemicals must be sprayed. However, because the application methods of various chemicals differ, using them incorrectly can cause various types of herbicide damage. So what should be done about herbicide damage in corn?

Method 1: Intertillage

For herbicide damage caused by excessive doses of soil-treatment herbicides, the damage can be alleviated by intertillage, continuous flooding and draining of the field, and repeated rinsing. A certain amount of lime powder can also be applied during watering to neutralize acidic herbicides, thereby washing away and discharging the residual chemicals and reducing the amount of herbicide residue in the soil. At the same time, strengthen field management to enhance the resistance of the corn.

Method 2: Strengthen field management to promote early and rapid seedling growth

For corn fields affected by herbicide damage, management should be strengthened. Along with watering, increase the application of quick-acting fertilizers such as decomposed livestock and poultry manure, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium nitrate, and urea to promote root development and regeneration, restore the physiological functions of the damaged corn, and promote healthy crop growth, so as to reduce the harm of herbicide damage to the crops. Strengthen intertillage and loosening of the soil to break up soil compaction, enhance soil aeration, raise soil temperature, promote beneficial microbial activity, accelerate the decomposition of soil nutrients, enhance the roots' ability to absorb nutrients and water, and help the plants resume growth and development as quickly as possible, reducing the losses caused by herbicide damage. At the same time, foliar spraying of 1%-2% urea or 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can also be used to promote crop growth and development and restore growth as quickly as possible.

Method 3: Spray plant growth regulators or antidotes specific to different chemicals

Plant growth regulators have a very good stimulating effect on the growth and development of corn. At the same time, micro-fertilizers such as zinc, iron, and aluminum and foliar fertilizers can also be used to promote crop growth and effectively reduce herbicide damage. Commonly used plant growth regulators include gibberellic acid, brassinolide, and sodium nitrophenolate.

Herbicide antidotes can reduce or counteract the toxicity of herbicides to crops. For example, naphthalic anhydride is a selective seed-dressing protectant that can be absorbed by seeds and inhibit herbicide damage within roots and leaves. Such chemicals can protect corn from damage by herbicides such as acetochlor, butachlor, and metolachlor.

Method 4: Timely remediation and replanting

For severe herbicide damage, targeted remedial measures should be taken as soon as possible after identifying the cause of the damage. If there is no remedy for severe herbicide damage, replant or fill in with a different crop as soon as possible to make up for the losses.