How to Prevent Poor Corn Kernel Set? A Full Breakdown of Practical Measures
During corn cultivation, poor kernel set often occurs. This phenomenon seriously affects corn yield and quality and brings huge losses to farmers. So, in order to protect farmers' interests, preventive measures against poor kernel set must be carried out well. Let's take a look together below.
1. Choose Good Seed
Corn is somewhat regional in its response to soil, environment and cultivation conditions, so if a variety is not suitable for local planting, poor kernel set will occur. Therefore, when planting, choose high-quality varieties with strong stress resistance and high yield according to the local soil, climate and cultivation conditions to reduce poor kernel set.
2. Sow Early at the Right Time
Corn tassels during high-temperature weather. High temperatures reduce its pollen vitality and lead to poorer pollination quality, so when sowing, sow early at the right time so that the tasseling period of corn avoids high-temperature weather and pollination occurs in suitable climate conditions. At the same time, according to the variety characteristics of corn, plant at a reasonable density, enhance field ventilation, improve leaf photosynthesis, increase nutrition for the ears, promote ear differentiation and raise the kernel set rate.
3. Detasseling
The female ear of corn is produced from axillary buds, so it grows weakly and differentiates later, while the male tassel develops from the terminal bud, grows strongly and differentiates earlier. Therefore, when the external environment is unsuitable, uneven nutrient uptake by the male and female ears occurs. The male tassel inhibits the growth of the female ear, causing poor kernel set in corn. So during the tasseling stage of corn, detassel appropriately to reduce the apical dominance of corn and promote the growth and development of the female ear. At the same time, combine this with artificial pollination to improve the kernel set rate.
4. Strengthen Fertilizer and Water Management
When fertilizer and water are insufficient, corn's kernel set rate is also affected. So during the tasseling stage, if drought occurs, water promptly to promote ear development so that normal pollination and fertilization can occur. At the same time, promote timely fertilization, following the principles of applying sufficient base fertilizer, lightly applying seedling fertilizer, heavily applying jointing fertilizer and skillfully applying grain fertilizer. Base fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer, paired with an appropriate amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Topdressing is generally mainly nitrogen fertilizer, usually carried out at the jointing stage, to promote corn growth, improve the kernel set rate and lay the foundation for a high yield.
The above is an introduction to preventive measures for poor corn kernel set. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.