What Causes Bald Tips and Missing Kernels in Corn? A Detailed Explanation of Causes and Preventive Measures

In the process of corn cultivation, the phenomena of empty stalks, missing kernels and bald tips occur, which are quite common for you, and this phenomenon will directly affect corn yield. In recent years, farmers have reported that the phenomenon of bald tips and missing kernels in corn is relatively serious, and the corn yield reduction is relatively serious. So what are the causes of bald tips and missing kernels in corn? Let's take a look together.

I. Nutrition-related causes of bald tips and missing kernels in corn

1. Variety reasons. The variety selected for planting is not suitable for the local climate conditions, and the phenomenon of bald tips and missing kernels is very likely to occur.

2. Improper soil. When planted on soil with high salinity, low-lying and prone to waterlogging, too shallow a plough layer, poor water and fertilizer retention capacity, and poor fertility, bald tips and missing kernels in corn will also occur relatively seriously.

3. Nutrition. During fertilization, because the combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is improper, and organic fertilizer and micro-fertilizer are not applied or applied in insufficient amounts, especially when phosphorus fertilizer and boron fertilizer in the soil are insufficient, or when there is insufficient water and fertilizer loss in the middle and late growth stages, bald tips and missing kernels will be caused.

4. Climate. Continuous drought in the middle growth period of corn, causing repeated leaf rolling, or high temperature and dry weather at flowering, with insufficient soil water supply, will affect the development of the corn ear. Or when corn is shedding pollen, continuous rainy weather affects normal flowering and pollination, and both will cause bald tips and missing kernels.

5. Serious pests and diseases. The occurrence of various leaf spot diseases in corn, or the occurrence of corn seedling blight, banded leaf and sheath blight, and stalk base rot, will all affect the normal growth and development of corn, causing poor corn growth and resulting in bald tips and missing kernels.

II. Preventive measures

1. Plant excellent corn varieties; generally, flint corn varieties show lighter bald tip symptoms than dent corn varieties.

2. Improve the soil and enhance the soil's ability to retain water and fertilizer.

3. Fertilize reasonably, increase the application of organic fertilizer, and reasonably combine nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; in particular, prevent phosphorus fertilizer and boron fertilizer deficiency in the field, and in terms of water supply, prevent both drought and waterlogging. After the corn jointing stage, water should be supplied timely and in appropriate amounts to promote the development of the ear.

4. Strengthen cultivation management. First, plant at a reasonable density; second, strengthen intertillage, weeding and earthing up in a timely manner, especially earthing up after the jointing stage, which can enhance soil aeration and promote the development of the corn root system. In addition, wide-narrow row planting techniques can be adopted to improve field ventilation and light transmission conditions. When corn pollination is poor, artificial supplementary pollination techniques can be adopted.

5. Prevent and control pests and diseases. Patrol the field regularly, and once pests and diseases are found, control them promptly to prevent their further spread.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of bald tips and missing kernels in corn and the preventive measures. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.