Do Corn Tillers Need to Be Removed? A Detailed Guide to Handling Tillers

Corn tillering is a reproductive growth problem that often occurs during corn growth, and it is a type of tillering in corn.So do corn tillers need to be removed? What causes them to appear?

Do corn tillers need to be removed?

In early-maturing sweet corn fields with reasonable density, normal cultivation, and a relatively large planting area, the corn tillers do not need to be removed; just let them die off naturally, and they will not affect yield. However, in summer direct-seeded corn fields where conditions allow, the corn tillers can be removed by hand, which has a certain yield-increasing effect.

What causes corn tillers to appear?

1. Variety characteristics

Tillering in corn is one of the inherent characteristics of cereal crops, and different varieties show different tillering characteristics under the same cultivation conditions.

2. The effect of drought

Severe drought during the corn growing period causes growth and development obstacles in the upper part of the main stem, and tillering often appears as a result.

3. The effect of population density

Varieties with weak tillering ability will also produce tillers when the density is too low. Therefore, a reasonable population density helps control the occurrence of tillering.

4. The effect of disease

For example, when affected by downy mildew, many sterile lateral branches grow from the stem nodes above ground on corn, the main stem is tall, and the stalk is relatively thin and prone to lodging, with completely no economic yield. The main causes of corn downy mildew are low temperature and continuous rain during the growing period, or waterlogging in the corn field, as well as comprehensive conditions such as a closed field, insufficient sunlight, and poor ventilation.

If you want to remove corn tillers, you can choose to do it on a sunny day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which helps the wounds heal quickly.