How can we boost corn production? Here are five effective techniques to consider:
First, leaf pruning. When corn seedlings have developed five leaves, use a sharp blade to cut off all the foliage above the first leaf, and manually remove that first leaf. At this stage, the growing point of the plant is still below the soil surface, so the next day, new leaves will emerge. After pruning, the stalks become thicker, longer, and less rigid, which can increase yield by up to 30%.
Second, tip folding. During the mid to late growth stages, when silks appear, gently fold the stems between the second and third leaves without breaking them. This should be done carefully, as the stems can return to their original shape within 2–4 days. Practically, this technique can reduce the empty stalk rate from 15%–40% to just 2%–5%, and increase yield by 15–25 kg per mu.
Third, controlled seedling. This method involves managing irrigation and using cultivators to expose roots to sunlight, encouraging deeper root development and preventing leggy growth. The goal is to create strong, thick bases that resist drought and lodging. Seedling should be monitored by observing leaf curling during sunny afternoons, dark green color, and leaf recovery in the evening. If leaves don’t stretch or show no dew in the morning, it’s time to limit watering. Soil moisture should stay above 50% of field capacity.
Proper seedling helps develop thick stems, extensive roots, rapid post-jointing growth, short internodes, more aerial roots, early ear emergence, larger ears, fewer barren tips, and higher grain yields.
However, seedling must be adapted to local conditions and only done for a short period. Over-seedling or excessive water control can harm the plants. It’s important to adjust based on soil type, plant color, and moisture levels.
Fourth, detasseling. Before tassels release pollen, manually remove a portion of the tassels from selected plants. This reduces nutrient consumption and redirects energy to the ears, while also helping control corn borers. The best time is early in the morning when tassels are just emerging. You can detassel in an interlaced pattern, or remove every other row. No more than 30%–50% of the plants should be removed to ensure proper pollination.
Fifth, artificial pollination. This technique ensures better fertilization of the upper ears, reducing barren tips and increasing grain filling. It can improve yield by 8%–10%. During the flowering and silking stage, between 9–11 am, use a long pole to shake the tassels or walk through the field to spread pollen. Repeat every other day initially, then daily for 3–4 times during peak flowering. Removing weak or non-pollinated plants also improves light exposure and reduces competition for nutrients and moisture.
Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, the method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel. The nutrients in hydroponics can come from an array of different sources; these can include but are not limited to waste from fish waste, duck manure, or normal nutrients.
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