How should you handle corn that has sprouted?

When corn produces shoots, this is actually tillering, which falls under reproductive growth; therefore, the shoots store the resources necessary for reproductive development.

         People worry that the side shoots will compete with the main stem for nutrients, so they often pinch them off. However, these side shoots are difficult to eliminate completely—once removed, they regrow, and in many fields, even after three or four pinches, they still persist. In fact, when left to grow unchecked, 92–98% of the side shoots will gradually wither and die after the corn tassels emerge, leaving only 2–8% to develop into mature plants that produce ears. Below, we’ll examine the advantages and disadvantages of removing or retaining these side shoots.

Benefits of sprouts:

1. Increase the total leaf area of corn:

         Research indicates that the experimental maize variety that does not produce tillers has a leaf area of 35,610 to 46,510 square meters per hectare, whereas the tiller‑producing variety exhibits only 24,690 square meters per hectare. The former’s leaf area is substantially greater than the latter’s, laying a solid foundation for the maize plant to accumulate more dry matter.

2. Root coefficients have been added:

         The results of root system analysis indicate that the average number of roots per plant with tillers is 56, whereas for plants without tillers it is 29, representing an increase of 27.6 roots on average, or a 95% rise.

3. Reduced soil moisture evaporation:

         The soil moisture at 10 cm depth was 14.49% higher in the tiller‑retaining treatment than in the tiller‑removal treatment. The development of a dense leaf canopy after tiller retention reduced soil water evaporation, thereby helping to conserve soil moisture. Thus, under these conditions, leaf transpiration plays a more dominant role than surface evaporation; consequently, retaining tillers can help maintain soil moisture and enhance drought resistance.

4. Eliminate apical dominance:

         Corn plants with numerous tillers typically exhibit a short, stout, and robust main stem; the more tillers there are, the less likely the main stem is to grow vigorously. A short, sturdy, and robust plant is the hallmark of high yield!

5. Return of Reproductive Elements:

         After the corn tassel emerges, the tillers gradually wither and die; their water, photosynthates, and reproductive structures are remobilized back into the main stem, ultimately supplying nutrients for kernel maturation.

The drawbacks of breaking off buds:

         Removing buds inflicts damage on the plant, and during its self‑repair process, the risk of pest and disease intrusion and fungal infection increases.

The correct approach is:

         Don’t snap off the buds! The more buds there are, the better—and the safer. Once you have more than three buds, none of them will grow taller. If you notice a few buds growing too tall, pinch off their tips; never break them off right at the base!