A Detailed Guide to the Latest Techniques for Promoting Early Maturity in Corn

In order to ensure that corn matures as quickly as possible before the autumn frost and to take preventive measures in advance, many farmers artificially promote early maturity in their corn. Although many people use this method to promote early maturity in corn, their practices vary. Below, the editor also brings you a method for promoting early maturity in corn. Let's take a look.

1. Proper irrigation

As the saying goes, “A spring drought is not a drought; a autumn drought costs you half.” In September, many regions are prone to drought, and insufficient water supply seriously affects the grain-filling process, reducing the number of kernels and lowering kernel weight, directly causing yield reduction. It is advisable to water at the late milk stage of corn, that is, 7-10 days before harvest. The amount of water should not be too large, to prevent the plants from lodging. If heavy rain occurs, it is necessary to clear the ditches promptly after the rain and drain the accumulated water, so as to avoid waterlogging in the field that causes root rot.

2. Remove barren stalks and diseased plants early

After the booting stage of corn, check the conditions frequently. Once barren stalks and diseased plants are found, they need to be cut down thoroughly as early as possible. In addition, the removed head smut diseased plants should be taken out of the field and buried deep to prevent the pathogen from spreading again in the field. Doing so can also improve field ventilation and light penetration, reduce nutrient consumption, favor plant growth and development, and promote the formation of large ears with plump kernels.

3. Spray micronutrient fertilizers

In recent years, the first frost period has clearly shifted later, but if sowing is delayed, the corn growth period is limited and it will still suffer frost damage. During the grain-filling stage in mid-to-late August, measures such as loosening the autumn ridges, spraying potassium dihydrogen phosphate, breaking off small ears, and removing bottom leaves can be taken to improve field ventilation and light penetration, reduce nutrient consumption, and promote early maturity and high yield in corn.

4. Harvest appropriately late

At the late dough stage of corn, be sure not to remove leaves or cut off the tops. You can leave the stalks standing, peel back the husks, and sun-dry them to speed up grain dehydration, promote early maturity, and improve corn quality. This can reduce the moisture content by 3% and increase corn yield by about 5%. When the corn husks are dry and loose, the kernels become hard and shiny, the milk line disappears, and a black layer appears at the base, it should be harvested in time. At the same time, always pay attention to weather changes. 1-2 days before the early frost, cut down the corn stalks and stack them, harvest with the ears, and promote after-ripening.

The above is an introduction to techniques for promoting early maturity in corn. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.