The correct method for watering corn

The watering of corn should be adjusted according to the growth stage in terms of water quantity and frequency. The soil should be kept moist during the seedling stage, the water quantity should be increased during the jointing stage, drought should be avoided during the tasseling stage, and even water supply should be provided during the filling stage. The main watering methods include observing soil moisture, selecting morning and evening periods, using trench irrigation or drip irrigation, avoiding water accumulation, and combining fertilization.

The root system of corn seedlings is relatively shallow, and it is necessary to keep the surface soil moist but not too wet. Usually, watering should be done every 5-7 days, with a water infiltration depth of 15 centimeters. Excessive watering at this stage can lead to root hypoxia, affecting seedling development. Sprinkler irrigation can be used to evenly moisten the soil. The jointing stage is a critical period for corn water demand, and rapid plant growth requires a large amount of water. Therefore, watering should be increased to once every 3-5 days to maintain soil moisture at around 70% of the field capacity. At this time, using trench irrigation can promote the development of deep root systems, and timely tillage and loosening of soil after watering can prevent compaction.

The tasseling period is sensitive to water, and soil drought can lead to a decrease in pollen vitality. At this time, it is necessary to ensure watering 2-3 times a week, with special attention to watering after consecutive sunny days. But during the flowering and pollination period, watering should be avoided during the high temperature period at noon to prevent pollen from bursting when exposed to water. During the grain filling stage, stable water supply is required for grain development, and the soil should be kept dry and moist. The principle of watering in small amounts multiple times should be adopted to avoid excessive flooding and plant lodging. In case of rainy season, it is necessary to dig drainage ditches in advance to prevent root rot caused by accumulated water in the fields.

Corn watering needs to be flexibly adjusted according to weather changes. For sandy soil, watering frequency should be increased but single water volume should be reduced, and for sticky soil, the interval time should be extended. Avoid prolonged waterlogging of leaves during the entire growth period to prevent disease occurrence, and cover straw to reduce evaporation during high temperature and drought seasons. Regularly check the growth of plants and soil moisture, combine foliar fertilizer spraying to improve water use efficiency, and gradually reduce the amount of watering two weeks before harvest to promote grain dehydration.