What causes bare tips in corn? How should farmers prevent them?

Bare tips in corn are one of the most common disorders during corn cultivation, and almost every grower will encounter them. In fact, they can be avoided, as long as management measures are strengthened and the soil is kept moist with sufficient water and fertilizer. So what causes bare tips in corn? How should farmers prevent them?

Bare tips in corn refer to the upper part of the ear failing to set grain. Bare tips are relatively common in corn production, especially severe in disaster years, and can even become the main factor in yield reduction.

Causes of bare tips in corn

1. Excessive density causes poor nutrition.

2. Rainy weather in the late pollination period prevents the top silks from being pollinated, causing bare tips.

3. High temperature and drought before tasseling cause the male and female flowering periods to miss each other, so the top silks cannot be pollinated.

4. Drought or rainy, overcast weather with insufficient light in the late stage of female ear differentiation causes the flowering periods to miss each other, so the top silks cannot be pollinated.

Preventive measures

1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management before tasseling to avoid “neck-choking drought”.

2. Determine a suitable density according to the characteristics of different varieties.

3. Select suitable varieties according to the local climate and water and fertilizer conditions.

4. Early sowing at the right time can meet corn's demand for light and heat, effectively use natural rainfall to coordinate corn growth, and also avoid diseases caused by cool weather later on.

5. Artificial supplementary pollination can make up for poor pollination caused by weather and other factors, effectively preventing the occurrence of bare tips.