Corn plants with multiple ears often result in the first ear being small and having fewer kernels, which ultimately reduces yield and may even lead to barren stalks. This phenomenon is influenced by several factors and can be managed through proper agricultural practices.
First, let's explore the causes of multiple ears in corn:
1. **Genetic Factors**: Different corn varieties have varying developmental patterns in their axillary buds. Some cultivars may produce multiple ears under favorable conditions when multiple axillary buds develop simultaneously. Others have a stronger development tendency for the first ear, which suppresses the growth of subsequent ones, preventing multiple ears from forming.
2. **Male Inflorescence Development Issues**: If the male inflorescence (tassel) is hindered, it may promote the development of the top female ear. A short period of water stress can cause the axillary buds in the 5th to 7th nodes to develop into 2-3 mature female inflorescences, leading to multiple ears.
3. **Imbalanced Carbon-Nitrogen Metabolism**: After the jointing stage, corn enters a phase of vigorous vegetative and reproductive growth. If soil fertility is high and water and nutrients are overabundant, the balance between carbon and nitrogen metabolism can be disrupted. This imbalance can lead to excessive nutrient availability, promoting the development of multiple female ears.
4. **Improper Planting Density**: Overly dense planting can cause leaves to shade each other, making it difficult for pollen to reach the silks. This can result in poor fertilization. Under such conditions, excess nutrients may be redirected to the next ear, encouraging the formation of multiple ears.
5. **Unfavorable Environmental Conditions**: Poor weather during tasseling and flowering, such as cloudy days or heavy rain, can prevent proper pollen dispersal. Rain can cause silk swelling and rupture, leading to dead pollen grains that cannot fertilize the ovules. As a result, empty ears may form, and excess nutrients may be redistributed, promoting the development of multiple ears.
To control the occurrence of multiple ears, the following measures are recommended:
1. **Choose Appropriate Varieties**: Select varieties that are approved and recommended by local authorities. Purchase seeds from reliable sources, keep receipts, and avoid buying cheap or counterfeit seeds. Avoid blindly choosing new or unusual varieties based on advertisements.
2. **Optimize Water and Fertilizer Management**: Corn requires the most water around the tasseling stage, with soil moisture ideally maintained at 70-80%. Ensure timely irrigation if needed. Apply fertilizers according to the variety, planting area, and growth stage. For example, apply 60 kg of compound fertilizer per mu as a base, then add 10 kg of urea or 25 kg of ammonium bicarbonate when the plant has 3-4 leaves, and 30 kg of urea or 70 kg of ammonium bicarbonate when it has 12-13 leaves.
3. **Timely Sowing and Proper Spacing**: Sow when the soil temperature stabilizes above 12°C at a depth of 15 cm. Early sowing helps avoid high temperatures and rainy seasons. Proper spacing improves air circulation, light utilization, and plant development, reducing the risk of multiple ears. Recommended densities vary by variety: 3200-3500 plants per mu for standard types, and 3500-3800 for compact types.
4. **Field Maintenance**: Regular field management, including weeding and soil loosening, is essential. Remove any extra ears promptly, leaving only 1-2 ears to ensure sufficient nutrients are directed to the main ear, supporting its full development and improving yield quality.
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