Corn is a grain crop with a large planting area in China. It is understandable that during the process of corn irrigation, farmers are eager to expect the kernels to be full and neatly arranged, and then grow into larger ears of corn to improve corn yield. But how exactly are corn kernels formed and what processes does it take? I'm afraid it's not so well understood.

Today we will help you recognize the two processes in the formation of corn kernels, and then y dissected the two kernel formation process, to help you improve corn yields to propose a reasonable management approach.

Corn grouting

A, two processes in the formation of corn seed bank

Corn in the pollination and fertilization, the cytoplasm divides, the formation of endosperm cells. About 15 days after pollination of spring corn, corn kernels are formed, and about 26 days, the volume is gradually increased to the late stage of corn milk maturity, the kernel volume reaches its maximum value.

The formation of a corn kernel simply means that it has formed a starch-ready storehouse, which we call ? kernel volume? When its reservoir capacity is not large enough, then the next step is more difficult, directly affecting the grain weight.

After the formation of corn kernel bank capacity, it is necessary to carry out ? Seed bank filling? , so that we can fill it with as much as possible according to the size of the reservoir, corn is starch and protein, etc., of course, about 30-50% of them are water.

And what we often call corn? Irrigation? is the process by which the seed bank is built and the seed bank is filled during the kernel formation period of corn. This is also the last stage of corn growth, we say how much grain can hit depends on this shiver. The speed and duration of the grouting is directly related to the size of the corn reservoir and the number of seed filling, the importance of the corn grouting period.

Two, corn kernel capacity built and its impact

We are clear, corn pollination is a key process, pollination is good or bad directly affects the formation of corn kernels and the quality of high and low. When the corn pollination within a day, the primary endosperm kernel began to split, about 3-4 days after the endosperm began to cellularization, 5 days after pollination basically primary endosperm kernel cellularization is over, into the endosperm cell proliferation stage. General late maturing corn varieties in the endosperm cell division is most vigorous about 15 days after pollination, and finally reached the endosperm cell maximum.

What is endosperm? The endosperm is the product of fertilization of corn, 80% of the total weight of corn is composed of endosperm, and corn starch is formed in the endosperm cells, so the endosperm is an important part of the corn kernel. The amount of endosperm proliferation directly affects the grain weight of corn.

About 10 days after the pollination of corn, starch emerges from the endosperm, starch is the main nutrient for the formation of corn kernels, from starch to form the outline of the corn kernel, that is, the starch and endosperm cells **** with the construction of a processing plant for corn kernels. The greater their number, the greater will be their volume. Then in the later stages of the building of the reservoir, the content of sucrose gradually increases, and the content of soluble amino acids gradually increases, at which time proteins are synthesized. And at this time the corn kernels in the zein and zein nucleosides also increase rapidly.

Maize growth

The factors that affect the formation of corn kernel reservoir are the following four:

1, temperature

Humidity directly affects the number and structure of endosperm cells. We can understand that there is no suitable humidity will directly affect the corn reservoir capacity, because there is not enough endosperm cells can not build a large enough kernel reservoir.

The limiting temperatures for endosperm cell proliferation in corn are below 15 degrees Celsius and above 35 degrees Celsius, meaning that endosperm cell proliferation within 15-35 degrees Celsius is of little consequence, and out of this range the proliferation rate and division time will be affected.

The high temperature will make the enzyme activity decrease, the content of soluble sugar will also decrease. We can find in July and August corn grouting period will have high temperature and drought phenomenon, then the direct impact is the decline in the rate of grouting and the decline of sugar in it, the decline in enzyme activity affects the proliferation and division of endosperm cells, and slow down the speed of corn reservoir construction.

2, growth hormone

We know that zeatin and zeatin kernel citrus are synthesized in the corn root system, and zeatin and zeatin kernel citrus on the endosperm cells to play a regulatory role. And abscisic acid and vinblastine can play an inhibitory role on endosperm cell division. Amine has a promoting effect on endosperm cell division.

And, we should pay close attention to the application of some antibacterial and anthelmintic drugs, after the overdose of some pharmaceutical ingredients will play a certain harm to the formation of corn kernels. And this should also pay attention to the protection of the corn root system, not to produce such as root rot and other lesions, inhibit the root system to synthesize zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin kernel citrus.

3, water

In the corn grouting period of lack of water will lead to an increase in abscisic acid, it will command the plant from any part of the mobilization of nutrients, and not only from the root system, may be leaves or other parts. Lack of water directly decreases the quality and quantity of endosperm cell divisions, and the result is a shrinking of the corn reservoir and small kernel size.

This is a very damning sign, and in spite of all the effects of lack of water, the good news is that corn will take up nutrients favorable to endosperm division from any part of the plant, and can still continue to proliferate the endosperm if hydrated in time.

4, light

Because the sugar in the kernel is formed by leaf photosynthesis, so maintain sufficient light is also an effective way to increase sugar and other compounds. During the period of corn kernel expansion, prolonged cloudy and rainy weather is very likely to block corn photosynthesis, which is detrimental to endosperm cell division.

Corn tasseling

Three, corn kernel bank filling and its impact

We usually say that the beginning of corn pollination marks the beginning of grouting, but in fact the real grouting is from the corn kernel after the completion of the bank capacity. Let's say that a large warehouse has been built, and now you need to store goods in the warehouse, which has been built and expanded so that more goods can be put in later.

And the main condition of corn kernel storehouse filling is the length of time of grouting and grouting rate of high and low. We prepare around these two data, then the corn kernel filling will be better.

Earlier we have figured out that 80% of the dry matter of corn kernels is endosperm cells, and this time filling the corresponding starch and sugars, carbohydrates, proteins. In this process a variety of enzyme transformation plays a special role, so to ensure the normal absorption of the plant root system output, to ensure the normal photosynthesis of the leaves is the basis of the success of the seed bank filling.

In the corn kernel bank filling period, growth hormone and other hormones for kernel filling but not much influence, mainly also lies in the role of water, fertilizer and temperature.

1, water, temperature

If the water in the expansion period is sufficient, with the leaf photosynthesis and root absorption is normal, then it can be converted into some carbohydrates and other sugars in advance, stored in all parts of the plant. In the seed filling period even if the external water is insufficient, it can temporarily absorb the nutrients and water in the plant, and will not have a big impact on the irrigation. However, the rate of filling is affected by insufficient enzyme conversion, which means that more time is needed for filling. This requires more efficient light to organize the conversion of nutrients.

Similarly, in the seed-filling period, the same need to 15-35 degrees Celsius within a reasonable temperature, otherwise it will affect the rate of grouting, for the seed maturation time will have an impact, late maturity is not afraid, is afraid of maturity is not sufficient, that will affect the grain weight.

2, nitrogen supply

In the process of grain filling, or the need for some enzyme action to achieve rapid grouting, and enzyme conversion requires a certain amount of nitrogen to realize. This is why we have to apply nitrogen again after the corn trumpet period. The so-called "attack grain fertilizer? is to have a positive effect on grain filling during the effective grouting period. Of course the grain tapping fertilizer is to be applied before pollination.

Four, in the formation of corn kernels should pay attention to what

Now we basically understand that the formation of corn kernels about two processes, one is expansion, so that the head space of the kernel as much as possible to the big long, which is related to the external factors of moisture and temperature, and more with the internal nutrition and plant health has to do; one is to enrich! , which is what we really call the filling period, when it's even more important that the overall health of the plant, especially the root system, is absolutely normal, and it also requires a certain amount of additional nitrogen to achieve that.

It is the root system that needs our special attention. Because the formation of seeds, which amounts to all the work of pre-growth, serves to form the grain crop, the essence of what we want. And this grouting process will last from 30-50 days, which is also a relatively continuous process, its nutrients are dependent on the root system to transmit, especially some hormones need to be synthesized and transported by the root system, which is any other organs can not be replaced. Therefore, this time the protection of the root system is the first, so to speak, the health of the root system determines the success of corn grouting, but also determines the size of the corn grain weight.

It is also very sensitive to high temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. Even if it is encountered, it is important to water aggressively in the evening to cool down the temperature so that the body temperature of the plant during the daytime is not too high. Encountered rainy weather, the temperature is lower than 15 degrees Celsius, to actively pay attention to the nutritional follow, rain stops immediately after the pest control, to prevent the root system affected by low temperature and weakened resistance to disease.

Through the analysis of corn kernel formation after pollination, we found that in the two processes of expansion and filling, the requirements for temperature, moisture, nitrogen, growth hormone and other aspects are extremely high, and any one of these factors will make the kernel formation reversed. In order to ensure that corn kernels are formed and enriched successfully, and that grain weight is maximized, it is necessary to take comprehensive precautions in these areas. Of course, corn endosperm cells are also quite related to corn varieties, and choosing a good corn variety is the first step to high yields. The degree of dense planting of corn and new planting techniques are also factors affecting grain weight.

When we understand the two processes of corn grain, it will be more realistic management, increase grain weight, improve yield.