What causes corn leaves to curl
Corn is grown all over China, and when growing corn, many problems are often encountered, causing a very large impact on the growth of corn. Leaf curling is one of them, and curled corn leaves block photosynthesis, reducing the yield and quality of corn. So what exactly is going on with curled corn leaves? Today, the editor will give you a brief introduction, let us take a look below!
1. High temperature and insufficient fertilizer and water
Different corn varieties have different requirements for the growing environment, and their adaptability also varies. The proportion of curled young leaves in corn will therefore differ greatly. Around May each year, because the temperature difference between day and night is very large, leaf differentiation is affected. This causes the fifth and sixth leaves of the plant to begin curling. And if potassium is insufficient in the field, the stress resistance of the corn plant will be reduced, which will also cause corn leaves to curl. Usually, improving soil moisture, promoting recovery during the rainy season or after watering, and spraying foliar fertilizer can speed up its recovery.
2. Causes of phytotoxicity
During the growth of corn, pesticides need to be used reasonably to control diseases and pests. However, care must be taken to control the dosage and type. For example, when using herbicides such as nicosulfuron, if the corn seedlings have fewer than three leaves or more than five leaves, or if it is used in a high-temperature environment or in excessive amounts, it can easily cause phytotoxicity in corn, resulting in leaf curling, wrinkling and similar phenomena. In severe cases, it will cause the young leaves to rot. If the symptoms are mild, they can recover naturally; if severe, the young leaves should be cut open manually in time. For fields with phytotoxicity, appropriate topdressing and watering as well as spraying foliar fertilizer should be done to promote plant recovery.
3. Causes of insect pests
Insect pests are also a main cause of curled corn leaves. Among them, common pests include thrips and others. Thrips generally cause damage when corn seedlings have about 4 leaves. After corn seedlings are damaged by thrips, spots can be seen on the leaves, and the spots gradually lose their green color. If the new leaves are peeled open, thrips can be seen moving around. At this time, we can use pesticides such as nitenpyram and spinetoram for spraying control. This is mainly done on the young leaves and the underside of the leaves. If the leaf curling is severe, then the twisted young leaves should be peeled off manually.
4. Caused by top rot
Top rot is also one of the causes of curled corn leaves. It can occur throughout the entire growth period of corn. The outermost leaf of the young leaves wraps around the inner young leaves of the plant, preventing them from unfolding and causing deformities, leaf curling and similar phenomena. Rot can also be found at the base, so doing a good job in preventing and controlling top rot is also a main measure to prevent curled corn leaves. Among the options, pesticides such as metalaxyl and carbendazim can be used for control, and an appropriate amount of zinc fertilizer can be added at the same time to enhance the disease resistance of the plant.
The above is a brief introduction to what is going on with curled corn leaves. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!