The primary goal of summer corn seedling management is to promote strong root development and healthy plant growth, ensuring that the plants are robust, uniform, and well-established early on. This is achieved through proper agricultural practices such as promoting strong seedlings, good emergence, and a solid stand.
**Key Measures:**
After the seedlings emerge, it's crucial to inspect them and fill in any gaps. The first check should be done during the three-leaf stage, and the second at the five-leaf stage. By making the most of individual plant advantages, appropriate planting density plays a vital role in achieving high yields. For large-eared varieties, the recommended planting density is 2,800 to 3,200 plants per mu, while for more dense types, it can go up to 4,000 to 5,000 per mu. The actual number of plants harvested should be slightly less than the initial planting density. In low-yield areas or when planting early-maturing varieties, the density can be increased appropriately.
**Chemical Weed Control:**
Herbicides should be applied before emergence and after sowing, and can also be used during the seedling stage. It’s essential to choose the right type of herbicide and apply it accurately. For example, after sowing, you can spray 40% Ethofumesate or a 50% mixture at a rate of 150–200 ml per mu, diluted with 30–40 kg of water. During the seedling stage, use 20% of the solution at 120–150 ml per mu, mixed with 30–50 kg of water, and apply it evenly between the rows, being careful not to spray directly on the corn plants. Always ensure enough water is used, avoid spraying during hot weather, and prevent over-spraying or missed spots.
**Mulching with Straw:**
After wheat harvest, it's important to till the soil and remove crop residues to improve soil aeration and light penetration. Throughout the seedling stage, the soil should be cultivated 2–3 times, especially in clay soils, to break up compaction and encourage deeper root growth. Sandy loam soils may require less frequent tilling. Once the corn has developed five leaves, spread wheat straw between the rows at a rate of 200–300 kg per mu. Covering the soil tightly helps retain moisture and improves soil structure.
**Fertilizer Management:**
If the seedlings lack sufficient nutrients, apply a combination of organic, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients during the seedling stage. After the seedlings have emerged, timely top-dressing with nitrogen is important, especially before the jointing stage. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer varies depending on the field's yield potential: 30% for high-yielding fields, 40% for medium-yielding fields, and 60% for low-yielding ones. Apply the fertilizer at a depth of about 10 cm, keeping it 10–12 cm away from the base of the plant. After application, cover the soil properly and water immediately to help the fertilizer dissolve and reach the roots effectively.
**Pest Control:**
Corn seedlings are highly susceptible to viral infections, especially during the early growth stages, which can lead to diseases like corn rough dwarf. Removing weeds around the field and nearby areas helps eliminate pests such as planthoppers, leafhoppers, and aphids, reducing disease incidence. To control these pests, you can spray 10% imidacloprid wettable powder at 20 grams per mu mixed with 30 kg of water. To prevent rough dwarf disease, use a 1.5% disease II water agent at 30 kg per mu. Regular monitoring and timely intervention are key to maintaining healthy crops.
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