In recent days, heavy rainfall has swept across Hebei Province, with some areas experiencing excessive rain and hail that have caused damage to corn fields. Maize is a crop that requires significant water but is not very tolerant of waterlogging. When soil moisture exceeds 80% of its water-holding capacity, it can negatively impact plant growth and development. During the middle to late growth stages of maize, high humidity and continuous rain can lead to poor oxygen supply in the rhizosphere, causing root suffocation and a rapid decline in plant vitality. This often results in unripe plants and reduced yields. According to available data, a water accumulation of 1-2 days before or after tasselling has a minimal effect on yield, but after 3 days, yield loss reaches about 30%, and after 5 days, it can drop by as much as 40%. Based on regional experiences, the following management strategies can be implemented for maize affected by flooding:
First, timely drainage is crucial. As soon as water is observed in the field, deep ditches should be dug to drain excess water quickly. This helps lower soil and air temperature and humidity, promoting healthier plant growth.
Second, after heavy rains, plants may become lodged due to pests or waterlogging. If the lodging occurs early, plants might still recover their upright position. However, as the crop approaches the tasselling stage, the ability to self-right diminishes. In such cases, manual support is necessary. Care should be taken not to disturb the aerial roots, and any leaf debris should be removed to restore normal photosynthesis.
Third, cultivating the soil can help. By loosening the topsoil and breaking up compaction, soil aeration improves, allowing roots to resume normal physiological functions more quickly.
Fourth, increasing nitrogen availability is important. Waxy corn often shows yellowing leaves, red stalks, and stunted growth due to nitrogen deficiency. Applying more available nitrogen fertilizer can enhance plant nutrition, accelerate growth, and mitigate flood damage.
Fifth, if premature ear development is delayed due to adverse conditions, artificial ripening methods must be used. Common practices include: (1) fertilization—applying 10 kg of ammonium nitrate during the silking stage, or spraying 0.2–0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution (or 3% superphosphate leachate) on the leaves. If silking is delayed, removing male flowers can reduce nutrient competition and speed up pollination; (2) sun exposure method—during the late filling stage, removing some upper leaves exposes the ears to sunlight, aiding dehydration and maturation; (3) drying method—if the next crop’s planting time has arrived but the corn is still unripe, cutting the stalks and leaving them in open areas (avoiding large piles) until the leaves dry out can help complete the ripening process.
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