Causes of Corn Lodging and Remedial Measures

Corn lodging is a production disaster that seriously affects corn yield. At present, according to different situations, there are three types: root lodging, stalk lodging and stalk breakage.So what are the causes of corn lodging? Are there any remedial measures?

1. What are the causes of corn lodging?

1. Corn lodging caused by weather

Generally, root lodging of corn is likely to occur after severe wind and rainstorms or when strong winds occur after irrigation;

2. Corn lodging caused by human factors

High planting density and unreasonable fertilization of corn can both cause corn lodging; stalk lodging is caused by this reason;

3. Corn lodging caused by variety

Corn plants that are too tall, have ears set too high, have thin and weak stalks, or have few secondary roots are all causes of corn lodging.

2. What remedial measures are there for corn lodging?

The occurrence of corn lodging will seriously affect yield, so carrying out remedies is a way to recover losses as much as possible. However, if the remedial method is improper, it will cause secondary damage to the corn such as root injury, root breakage, stalk breakage and secondary lodging, which often further aggravates the loss. Therefore, remedial measures for corn lodging still require proper methods, which are introduced below:

1. After corn encounters strong winds and heavy rainfall and lodges, a large amount of water will accumulate in the field, and the humidity will be completely saturated. However, corn is a crop that is neither drought-tolerant nor waterlogging-tolerant. When soil moisture is greater than 80%, poor growth and development will occur. When it is soaked in accumulated water for more than 3 days, the corn will suffocate and die. Therefore, at this time, after the rain stops, all the accumulated water in the field should be drained to reduce soil moisture.

2. After corn lodging, the stalks, branches and leaves lie prostrate on the ground, which will greatly reduce leaf photosynthesis. Therefore, timely spraying of quick-acting foliar fertilizer to supplement nutrients is a way to reduce losses. Generally, on fine days, a solution of urea and monopotassium phosphate can be sprayed on the leaves, once every 7 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays, to promote the corn to mature as early as possible.

3. If the corn has lodged only mildly, it does not need to be manually straightened, and it can naturally recover to an upright position after foliar fertilizer is sprayed. If manual intervention is used to straighten it at this time, it may injure the roots and affect growth and development, and may even cause secondary lodging, so it is enough to just spray foliar fertilizer.

4. For severely lodged corn, it is best to manually straighten it the same day. For corn that cannot be straightened, wooden sticks can be used to support the ear. If it has been lodged for 3 days or more, it should no longer be straightened, so as to avoid again causing root injury, root breakage or stalk breakage in the corn.

5. Generally, after corn lodging, diseases such as brown spot and leaf spot are likely to occur. Growers should promptly spray chemicals for prevention and control. Corn with broken stalks should be promptly removed to avoid rot disease and insect-borne fungi.

In summary, after corn lodging occurs, the main things are still to spray foliar fertilizer and remove broken stalks, and to determine whether manual straightening is needed according to the different degrees of lodging.