When is the right time to sow spring corn in Shandong?
The time for spring plowing has come, and it is time for farmers to plant their crops. As a major economic province, when is the planting time for spring corn in Shandong, and how is the planting time determined? Today we will explain in detail the planting time of spring corn in Shandong. Let's take a look.
Because spring corn in Shandong is sown early and has a long growth period, its yield is high. In the Shandong region, spring corn is generally planted in early April and harvested at the end of August.
Planting techniques for spring corn in Shandong
1. Land preparation and forming large ridges: Choose plots of medium to above-medium fertility that have been properly plowed, with stubble removed and harrowed fine; both level and low-lying land are suitable. On the basis of the original ridges with a ridge spacing of 0.5 m, form large ridges, that is, combine two ridges into one large ridge with a row spacing of 1 m, and a ridge surface width of about 0.7 m.
2. Choose suitable varieties: To cultivate fresh-eating green corn, it is necessary to achieve the “three rushes” - rush to plant, rush to market, and rush to plant the next crop - in order to ensure considerable economic benefits. Therefore, choosing early-maturing, high-quality varieties is very important. The more ideal green corn varieties include Shennong Tianyu No. 2, Shenxian No. 1, Jinxian No. 2, Liuyuexian, Black Pearl, Black Agate, five-color corn, etc., all of which can be selected.
3. Formula fertilization: Apply 3000—5000 kg of farm manure per 667 sq m (mu) as base fertilizer. Chemical fertilizer is applied all at once as seed fertilizer, applied deep into the soil layer 10—12 cm below the surface. Generally, apply 30—40 kg of urea, 10 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 10—12 kg of potassium chloride per 667 sq m, or a special formula compound fertilizer can also be applied.
4. Timely sowing: Sowing can be done in spring when the soil temperature at 5 cm stabilizes at 10°C. In Xingcheng, this is generally at the end of March or early April. Sowing density depends on the variety; generally, 3500-4000 plants are kept per 667 sq m. Sow double rows on the ridge, with a small row spacing of 30—40 cm, a plant spacing of 30 cm, and 2—3 seeds per hole; when thinning, keep one healthy seedling. After sowing, press the seedbed and cover with soil 3 cm thick.
5. Spraying and film mulching: After sowing, level and finely rake the ridge surface, and use a sprayer to spray herbicide onto the soil surface. Generally, acetochlor + atrazine or alachlor + atrazine is used, with 200 mL mixed with 50—75 kg of water per 667 sq m for spraying (see the herbicide instructions for details). When spraying herbicide, use the method of spraying while stepping backward to ensure the herbicide film is not damaged, and spray to a soil depth of 1 cm as appropriate.
As the herbicide is sprayed, cover the film immediately. Generally, 0.008 mm film is used, and it can be covered manually or mechanically. If covering manually, work in groups of 3, pull the film tight, press it closely to the ground and seal it tightly, and press a horizontal strip of soil every 2—3 m.
6. Field management: When the corn seedlings reach the two-leaf-one-heart stage, lead the seedlings out from the film and then determine the final stand according to seedling growth, keeping one healthy seedling. In the mid-growth period, pay attention to controlling corn borers, and use granules to control the first generation of corn borers to ensure the ears remain intact.
7. Economic benefit analysis of the next crop: For the previous crop of film-mulched green corn, the next crop can be late kidney beans, cucumbers, summer corn, summer soybeans, etc. The annual income per 667 sq m is 500—800 yuan more than planting one crop of spring corn, and at the high end it can be 1000 yuan more.