Since 1994, I have been implementing a two-by-one cultivation system combined with no-tillage practices, specifically tailored for small-mountain corn farming. Over the years, this method has proven to be highly effective in hilly areas, enabling efficient mechanized operations while making full use of the natural terrain. It allows for optimized land preparation and crop rotation, resulting in increased planting density, typically yielding between 650 to 750 kg of corn per mu (667 square meters).
1. **Seed Selection and Treatment**
In our region, we focus on low-ploughing and large-ridge cultivation, and the most suitable varieties include Shendan 10, Jinyu 2, Xintiedan 10, and Danyu 16. These varieties have a growth cycle of 125–135 days, are resilient to stress, and maintain strong stalks. Their compact or semi-compact structure makes them ideal for dense planting and high yields. After selecting the right variety, seeds are dried, sorted to remove small, broken, or diseased grains, then sun-dried for 2–3 days. A germination test is conducted before treatment. Before sowing, a seed coating agent such as 11% Kefudu can be used to control underground pests and head smut, while also promoting plant growth. For every 0.5 kg of seed coating agent, it can treat 20–25 kg of seeds.
2. **Soil Preparation and Fertilization**
The no-till ridge cultivation method leverages the marginal benefits of the terrain to boost productivity. In the fall, we destroy pests and weeds by tilling the soil, creating ridges spaced 50 cm apart, ideally aligned north-south. During land preparation, we apply 3 cubic meters of high-quality farm manure per mu as base fertilizer, along with 15–17.5 kg of compound fertilizer containing 15% N, P, and K (Sarco), plus 8 kg of potassium sulfate. Topdressing with urea is done twice—first at the 8-leaf stage, applying 10–15 kg per mu, and second during the big tail mouth stage. Each application includes 50 grams of chemical synergist Babaan mixed into the urea. The fertilizers are applied at a depth of 5 cm and covered with soil afterward.
3. **Sowing**
In western Liaoning, where drought is common, timely sowing is crucial. We usually sow around April 5th. For each mu, 4 kg of seeds are used, and mechanical trenching ensures even spacing. The pattern follows a two-ridge-one-ridge layout, with seeds planted 4–5 cm deep and spaced 23–24 cm apart, resulting in 3,300–3,500 seedlings per mu. After sowing, the field is lightly pressed using an Ishigaki to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
4. **Field Management**
After the 3rd or 4th leaf emerges, manual thinning is performed to remove weak or diseased plants. If there are gaps, two seedlings are left in each spot. Manual weeding is labor-intensive, so we often use herbicides. For broad-leaved weeds, 50 ml of 72% 2,4-D Butyl Ester mixed with 50–80 liters of water is sprayed at the 3–6 leaf stage. Another option is 150 ml of 33% chlorinated herbicide EC plus 150–200 ml of sargasatide, sprayed at the 4–5 leaf stage to control annual weeds.
Throughout the growing season, we follow a no-till and no-hoeing approach. However, to enhance root absorption, we perform two topdressing sessions. At the first topdressing, one-third of the empty ridge is used, and during the second, the remaining half is deeply hoed and enriched with nutrients on both sides of the ridge to create a larger nutrient absorption area. Armyworms can be controlled with 0.04% insecticide powder, and corn borers are managed using Trichogramma wasps, with two releases total. In the late wax stage, standing stalks are used for tanning, and harvesting is done when the corn is fully mature.
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