It's best to fertilize corn several times

Corn is generally fertilized 2-3 times for better results, and the specific number of times needs to be adjusted according to soil fertility, corn growth stage, and climatic conditions. Topdressing is mainly divided into three stages: seedling stage, jointing stage, and large bell mouth stage. Urea, compound fertilizer, or organic fertilizer can be used.

fertilization during maize seedling stage is usually carried out when the plant reaches 4-5 leaves, during which nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used to promote root development. In areas with poor soil conditions, the amount of topdressing can be appropriately increased, but it is necessary to avoid burning the seedlings. The jointing stage is a stage where corn undergoes both nutritional and reproductive growth, and requires the supplementation of balanced fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Topdressing at this time can significantly improve stem strength and grain number per ear. Topdressing during the large bell mouth stage has a significant impact on grain plumpness, and high potassium compound fertilizers can be used to enhance lodging resistance. Some high-yielding fields or varieties with longer growth periods may require an additional topdressing. If the base fertilizer is sufficient and the soil has strong nutrient retention capacity, it can be reduced to 1-2 times of topdressing. In arid areas, fertilization should be combined with irrigation, while in rainy areas, attention should be paid to applying fertilizers in small amounts to prevent nutrient loss. Due to poor nutrient retention, it is recommended to increase the number of topdressing cycles but reduce the single application rate for sandy soil.

When fertilizing, attention should be paid to deep application of soil cover to improve utilization efficiency and avoid fertilizing in extreme weather conditions. It is recommended to regularly observe the growth of corn and adjust the fertilization plan based on leaf color diagnosis. Simultaneously cooperating with tillage, weeding, and pest control can significantly improve corn yield and quality. The combination of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer can improve soil structure and achieve sustainable planting.