A Detailed Explanation of the Latest Management Methods and Technical Key Points for the Corn Seedling Stage
Corn is one of the major crops grown in our country, and it has a very wide range of uses: it can be eaten, used for oil, made into feed, and so on. Corn has strong adaptability to the environment, and combined with the powerful functions of hybrid corn seeds, we can see a bumper corn harvest every year. So do you know what to do during the corn seedling stage to make corn grow faster and better? Below are the corn seedling stage management methods that Qinnongwang wants to share with everyone today, hoping to help more friends who love growing corn.
1. Thinning and Replanting
The first step in corn field management is planting, and planting includes checking seedlings, replanting seedlings, thinning seedlings, and final singling, among which the most important work is thinning and replanting seedlings. About one week after corn emerges, we need to check the emergence situation of the corn in the field. If there are places with missing seedlings, we need to replant them in time to ensure uniform seedlings in the field. Next, check whether there are corn seedlings growing too densely in the field, appropriately pull out some from the denser areas, and carry out reasonable transplanting, planting at a row spacing of 40 to 50 cm and a plant spacing of about 30 to 40 cm.
2. Water Management
After planting, watering is needed, because the transplanted corn seedlings have not truly survived, so they need to be provided with enough water to promote root growth. Usually, if there is no rainfall after planting, then water at least once every 4 to 6 days or so, until it grows new roots and fully adapts to the new environment before stopping. Finally, after the corn seedlings survive, water should be reduced, because during this period their ability to resist waterlogging is extremely poor, and the soil needs to maintain a certain degree of dryness. If rainfall occurs during this period, then drainage should be carried out in time, otherwise the corn seedlings will rot and die.
3. Cultivation and Weeding
During the corn growing period, cultivation and weeding need to be carried out at least twice. Usually, the first cultivation is carried out about 7 to 10 days after corn planting. First, it can enhance soil permeability; second, it can promote the development of the corn seedling root system; and finally, it can reduce the absorption of nutrients by weeds. The second weeding generally waits until the corn seedlings grow to about 40 cm, mainly to promote plant growth and accelerate the growth rate of the plants.
4. Topdressing Seedling Fertilizer
We usually call the period from after corn is planted and emerges until before the corn ears form the seedling stage, and the so-called seedling fertilizer is mainly used to promote the growth of corn seedlings. Seedling fertilizer can be divided into uniform seedling fertilizer and seedling promoting fertilizer. Uniform seedling fertilizer is usually applied about 10 days after corn planting, while seedling promoting fertilizer generally waits until the corn seedlings grow to about 40 to 50 cm before being applied. Each time, it is best to combine it with cultivation and weeding. The components of seedling fertilizer mainly include urea, potassium fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, compound fertilizer, etc., and it is mainly applied in holes, which can enhance the utilization and absorption of nutrients.
5. Pest and Disease Control
The greatest harm during the corn seedling stage actually comes from some underground pests, such as white grubs and cutworms, followed by some leaf-feeding insects, such as leaf rollers and thrips, and finally seedling blight, root rot, and so on. These all pose great threats to the growth of corn seedlings. For underground pests, we usually use phoxim for root irrigation, while for aboveground pests, imidacloprid can be used for control. For seedling blight, we can use carbendazim for control, while for root rot, mancozeb needs to be used. Next, field water and fertilizer management must be strengthened.