What are the control methods for corn barren stalks

In corn cultivation, barren stalks are often found, and in severe cases the barren stalk rate can reach about 30%, greatly affecting yield. Corn barren stalks generally take two forms: one is complete barrenness, that is, no female ear appears at all; the other is that a rudimentary ear bud exists in the leaf axil but does not complete its development. From the appearance of the plant, these two types can also be divided into the thin and weak-growing type and the excessive vegetative growth type.

There are many causes of corn barren stalks, mainly closely related to planting density, fertilization, meteorological conditions during the growth period, and field management. Generally speaking, the greater the density, the higher the barren stalk rate, especially under conditions of shallow plowing and insufficient water and fertilizer, where it is most pronounced. Because excessive density deteriorates the field microclimate, reduces the nutritional area per plant, decreases the solar radiation energy received, lowers the intensity of photosynthesis, and causes poor root development, all of which affect the normal growth and development of the plant and cause barren stalks.

Insufficient fertilizer also increases the barren stalk rate. However, when nitrogen fertilizer is excessive, the vegetative organs of the plant grow too luxuriantly, creating a conflict between vegetative growth and reproductive growth. Because the plant grows excessively, the entire population structure is changed, and adverse conditions such as insufficient light inhibit the differentiation of reproductive organs, which likewise increases the barren stalk rate.

During the period of female ear formation and development in corn, excessive drought causes the female ear to shrivel and fail to emerge, or to emerge but fail to silk. If the period of male and female ear differentiation meets continuous overcast and rainy weather, sunlight is insufficient and the photosynthetic intensity of the plant decreases. In addition, long-term waterlogging in the soil causes poor aeration, weakens the absorption capacity of the root system, and makes nutrients unable to meet the needs of female ear formation, all of which can prevent the female ear from differentiating or prevent normal development after differentiation, causing barren stalks.