Tutorial on High-Yield Corn Cultivation Techniques, Latest Planting Methods Explained in Detail

The high yield referred to in this article means a yield of more than 1000 kg per mu. According to research and practice, the ecological conditions required for corn to reach a yield of 1000 kg per mu (667 sq m) are: accumulated temperature ≥3000°C, available accumulated temperature of ≥2800°C, frost-free period 150-160 days, flat terrain, good fertilizer and water retention, soil that is loam or light loam, and medium-to-upper-grade fertilizer and water conditions.

Select Excellent Varieties

Knowing how to select good corn varieties is a key issue related to increasing autumn yields and income. When selecting good corn varieties, the following principles should be followed:

(1) Select varieties according to heat resource conditions. Local heat resources are related to the growth period of corn varieties. Corn varieties with a long growth period have good yield performance and relatively high yield-increasing potential, and the local heat and growth period must meet the needs for the variety to fully mature. If heat is sufficient, choose corn varieties with a relatively long growth period as much as possible, so that the production potential of excellent varieties can be effectively brought into play. However, if one pursues high yield too strongly and uses corn varieties with an excessively long growth period, the corn will not fully mature, the kernels will not be plump enough, and the nutrition and quality of the corn will be affected. Therefore, when choosing corn varieties, it is necessary both to ensure that the corn matures normally and not to affect the timely sowing of the next crop. Terrain height is related to ground temperature; upland areas have higher temperatures and are suitable for late-maturing varieties or mid-late-maturing varieties with a long growth period; flat land is suitable for mid-late-maturing varieties; low-lying land is suitable for mid-early-maturing varieties.

(2) Select varieties according to local production and management conditions. The yield potential of corn varieties is related to production and management conditions. Varieties with high yield potential require good production and management conditions, while varieties with lower production potential require relatively lower production and management conditions. Therefore, in areas with a relatively high level of production management and with fertile soil and sufficient water sources, corn varieties with high yield potential and high yield-increasing potential can be selected. Otherwise, varieties with slightly lower production potential but better stability should be selected.

(3) Select varieties according to the previous crop. The yield increase and income increase of corn varieties are directly related to the previous crop. If the previous crop was soybean, the soil fertility is relatively good, and high-yield varieties should be selected; if the previous crop was corn and it grew well and yielded well, the same variety can continue to be selected; if the previous corn crop was infected with a certain disease, varieties susceptible to that disease should be avoided when selecting seeds. In addition, the same variety cannot be continuously planted in the same plot for three or four years, otherwise soil impoverishment and variety degeneration will occur.

(4) Select varieties according to diseases. Disease is the nemesis of high-yield corn and is mainly related to soil. If soil nutrients are unbalanced and ground temperature is abnormal, varieties unsuitable for growth under such conditions should be avoided when selecting seeds. For example, “Denghai 9” is only suitable for growth in plots with balanced soil nutrients and a high degree of maturation.

(5) Select varieties according to seed appearance. The level of purity and the quality of corn varieties directly affect the level of corn yield. For every 1% decrease in the purity of grade 1 corn seed (98% purity), its yield will decrease by 0.61%. Selecting high-quality varieties is a favorable guarantee for achieving high corn yield. High-quality seed packaging bags are sealed in one step and have the seed company's name and detailed address and telephone number; the seed label clearly states the production date, purity, cleanliness, moisture, and germination rate; the shape, size, and color of the seeds are neat and consistent.

(6) Select varieties according to local precipitation and accumulated temperature. According to experience, if the previous winter had little snowfall and was not cold, the following summer will have relatively more rainfall and the accumulated temperature will not be high; varieties with an excessively long growth period will not have enough accumulated temperature, which affects maturity. Conversely, if the previous winter had heavy snowfall and was very cold, the following summer will generally have relatively less rainfall and higher accumulated temperature, making it easy to choose varieties with strong drought resistance; in low-lying land, some mid-late-maturing varieties can be planted appropriately.