Avoid these common mistakes when topdressing corn

It is time again for topdressing summer corn, and the author has found that many farmers still make mistakes when topdressing corn, specifically:

1. Topdressing too late. Farmers are used to topdressing before and after tasseling, not realizing that the best time has already passed;

2. One-shot topdressing. Applying all the fertilizer at once as seed fertilizer at sowing, or scattering all the fertilizer in when watering to moisten the soil surface;

3. Topdressing while waiting for rain. Ignoring the growth characteristics of corn and waiting for rain before topdressing. In all 3 of these situations, it is very difficult for corn to achieve high yields.

To achieve high yields in corn, first, you should understand the fertilizer requirements of corn: the seedling stage is the key period for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and the large trumpet stage before tasseling is the key period for nitrogen fertilizer. Second, the amount of fertilizer applied should be determined by the target yield. Generally, a plot with a yield of 700 kg per mu needs 35 kg of urea, 15 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 20 kg of potassium sulfate. For plots with a yield of more than 800 kg per mu, farmyard manure and microfertilizers such as zinc sulfate and borax should be added. Finally, regarding the timing and method of fertilization, at the seedling stage all phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, about 20% of the nitrogen fertilizer, and zinc fertilizer should be applied at once as base fertilizer (seed fertilizer). Studies have shown that rationally applying base fertilizer (seed fertilizer) can increase yield by about 15%. At the large trumpet stage (1—1.5 m tall), apply nitrogen fertilizer heavily, about 60% of the total nitrogen fertilizer, and after tasseling it is best to apply another 20% of the nitrogen fertilizer. Hole application or band application in furrows 10-15 cm from the corn roots works best; do not broadcast it. If fertilizing during drought, combine it with watering.

After proper fertilization, comprehensive management should not be neglected either. According to field growth conditions, water during drought, carry out integrated pest and disease control, and harvest late at the right time to finally achieve a high yield.