A Detailed Explanation of the Causes of Red Seedlings in Corn and the Control Methods
Corn is one of China's important food crops, and various problems are often encountered during corn cultivation, with red seedlings being one of them, which often gives farmers a great headache. So what causes red seedlings in corn? How should they be controlled? Let's take a look.
I. Causes of Red Seedlings
1. Phosphorus deficiency
When the soil is deficient in phosphorus, the demand cannot be met during the corn seedling stage, which leads to hindered root system growth and development and slow seedling growth. As the phosphorus element within the seedlings gradually decreases, the leaves change from dark green to red or purple.
2. Waterlogging in the field
Poor drainage in the field and relatively high soil moisture severely affect the root system's absorption and metabolism, thus hindering root growth, causing poor vegetative growth of the plant and resulting in red or purple seedlings.
3. Underground pests
When the seedling root system is bitten by underground pests, such as wireworms, its absorption capacity is weakened, causing the seedlings to become weak and form red seedlings.
4. Low temperature
When planting in the north, corn is sown relatively early, so in early spring it is prone to a late spring cold spell causing freeze damage, which can cause the entire seedling to turn red. This situation will gradually ease as the temperature rises, and the red seedling phenomenon will disappear in the later stage.
5. Phytotoxicity
Phytotoxicity can cause the sugar metabolism in corn seedlings to be blocked, producing large amounts of anthocyanins and forming purple-red seedlings. If it occurs over a large area, you must consult the local agricultural department, and after identifying the cause, targeted remediation can be carried out.
6. Other causes
Heavy clay soil, sowing too shallow or too deep, and improper fertilization can all cause seedling burn, and improper chemical treatment causing seedling poisoning can also lead to red seedlings.
II. Control Measures
In response to the red seedling phenomenon caused by various reasons, when there is phosphorus deficiency, phosphate fertilizer can be applied in the base fertilizer, with 10-15 kg of superphosphate per mu, or during the seedling growth period, 300-times-diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be sprayed on the leaves 2-3 times, with one spray every 3-4 days. At the same time, the land should be leveled, drainage ditches should be dug, and the water should dry up after rain stops, with no water accumulating in the field. For underground pests, seed soaking or seed dressing with chemicals can be used, preferably seed coating, as well as soil disinfection treatment. For sowing too shallow or early seedlings, timely watering and intertillage loosening of the soil to preserve moisture should be carried out to promote strong seedlings.
The above is an introduction to the causes of red seedlings in corn and the control methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.