What are the reasons for poor kernel set on corn ears?
Corn is an important field grain crop in our country, and its planting area is extremely wide. However, poor kernel set on corn ears is a common phenomenon during corn cultivation. If it is not controlled in time, it will lead to a decline in corn yield. So what causes poor kernel set on corn ears? Let's take a look together.
1. Adverse climate
Drought and waterlogging weather have a great impact on the growth and development of corn. If affected by waterlogging at the seedling stage, bud waterlogging is very likely to form, affecting the formation and differentiation of the female ear; while drought and water shortage at the tasseling and silking stage will affect pollination, causing empty ears and bald tips. Therefore, water management is extremely important. At the seedling stage, attention should be paid to drainage and waterlogging prevention, and at the tasseling stage, attention should be paid to irrigation to keep the soil moist.
2. Insufficient nutrition
When soil fertility is insufficient and cannot meet the growth and development needs of corn, it will lead to poor plant growth, and silking of the female ear will be relatively delayed, causing its flowering period to be uncoordinated and losing the opportunity for pollination, resulting in missing grains on the ear. When nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers are not properly combined, filament abortion may occur, and bald tips are very likely to form. In addition, insufficient nutrients in the later growth period, later silking of the top filaments, degeneration of female flowers, and deformation of the stigma will also cause missing grains. During the corn growth period, it is essential to ensure sufficient nutrition to promote its normal development.
3. Unsuitable temperature and humidity
The suitable temperature for corn flowering is 22-26 degrees, and the suitable relative humidity is 60%-90%. When the temperature is higher than 30 degrees and the humidity is less than 60%, the number of flowers will decrease significantly. When the temperature is higher than 38 degrees, flowering of the tassel becomes difficult. Drought before tasseling will cause poor development of the small flowers at the top of the ear and delay silking of the female ear. Drought and water shortage after tasseling will also delay silking of the female ear, causing the phenomenon of mismatched flowering periods and affecting pollination. In addition, high and low temperatures will cause pollen to lose vitality, resulting in poor pollination quality, so missing grains occur at tasseling. During the corn flowering period, temperature and humidity should be strictly controlled so that it can flower and silk normally and improve pollination quality.
4. Pests and diseases
When corn is harmed by aphids, corn borers, red spiders, leaf spot disease, smut disease, etc., it will cause premature aging of functional leaves. When pests and diseases invade the ear, nutrient supply is insufficient or blocked, often forming empty ears or failure to fill and set kernels normally after pollination. Therefore, prevention and control of corn pests and diseases should be strengthened, phosphate and potassium fertilizers should be applied more, disease resistance should be improved, and pesticides should be used in time for prevention and control when pests and diseases are found.
The above is an introduction to the reasons for poor kernel set on corn ears. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.