Risk of corn crop failure due to heatwave.

Unusually hot weather and prolonged drought are a concern for summer-autumn corn crops.

Over the past four years, the climate has been quite erratic, and this year is no exception. In Southern Vietnam, the weather has been cool for an extended period from after the Lunar New Year until March, and then intensely hot and humid until early June.

The corn germination rate is less than 70% (Photo: KT)

It can be said that, due to the rainy season arriving later than usual this year, the planting schedule for rain-fed dryland crops such as hybrid corn and beans has been delayed. Corn crops planted to anticipate the rain in the Eastern and Central Highlands regions are facing a "laughing and crying" situation; some are growing unevenly, some are dying, some are wilting, and regular fertilization cannot be carried out, leading to potential risks such as corn cobs being underdeveloped due to nutrient deficiency, mismatched tasseling (corn tasseling but the ears silking too late), sparse kernels, no kernels, and many kernelless ears on the cob...

Mr. Truong Dinh Cu, from Hamlet 4, Lam San Commune, Dong Nai Province, lamented that the corn germination rate was less than 70%, but he still had to continue tending to it in time for the second crop. Mr. Cu is not alone; many other farmers are facing the same situation.

In Thanh Chuong, Tan Ky, and Do Luong districts of Nghe An province, tens of thousands of hectares of hybrid corn are dying from drought and failing to produce kernels due to prolonged and intense heat.

Dr. Tran Kim Dinh from the Southern Agricultural Science Institute predicts that corn yields this season may decrease compared to previous years due to poor kernel formation, crooked ears, rake-like ears, and rat-tail ears… which may occur on a large scale and in most provinces and cities.

According to Dr. Tran Kim Dinh, farmers should choose drought-tolerant varieties with strong germination rates to overcome harsh initial weather conditions. Ensure the soil is sufficiently moist before sowing so that the seedlings have enough water to develop.

According to VOV