What causes missing kernels and bald tips in corn? How to prevent them

Corn is one of the important crops in our country and the main source of income for many farmers. Its yield is tied to farmers' economic returns, but during cultivation, certain factors often lead to missing kernels and bald tips in corn, seriously affecting both yield and quality. So what causes missing kernels and bald tips in corn? How should they be prevented? Let's take a look together.

1. Causes of bald tips

1. Excessive planting density is one of the main causes of missing kernels and bald tips in corn. Too high a planting density leads to poor air permeability, causing corn plants to compete with each other for nutrients, so the phenomenon of missing kernels and bald tips occurs.

2. During the flowering and pollination period of corn, if the temperature is high and soil moisture is insufficient, the lifespan of pollen and silks will be shortened. During pollination, rainy weather and drought will both affect normal flowering and pollination, and poor pollination will lead to missing kernels and bald tips.

3. Continuous use of chemicals or chemical residues from the previous crop will cause normal phytotoxicity to corn, causing its growth to be affected, the growth period to be delayed, or no tasseling, losing the fertilization function, thus causing missing kernels and bald tips to occur.

4. Missing kernels and bald tips in corn are also somewhat related to its variety and seed quality. Some vendors, in order to gain more profit, will sell poorer-quality seeds, or mix in substandard varieties.

2. Preventive measures

1. Choose good seeds. Some varieties have a more serious phenomenon of missing kernels and bald tips, so choose varieties suited to the local climate as the main planting variety.

2. Sowing time must be well controlled. Temperature and light are the main factors affecting its growth. Its seeds germinate at temperatures above 10-12 degrees, so when the temperature stabilizes above 10 degrees, sow promptly.

3. Planting density should also be reasonable, and it should not be too dense or too sparse. Too dense will affect photosynthesis, affect the plant's normal pollination, and cause missing kernels and bald tips. Too sparse will lead to lower yield. Generally, control it at about 3500 plants per mu, and remove the weak while keeping the strong.

4. For fields with later development or poor pollination, promptly carry out artificial supplementary pollination, which can reduce the incidence of missing kernels and bald tips.

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