During the latter stages of corn growth, the crop enters a vital period for grain filling, dry matter accumulation, and final yield formation. This phase also brings heightened risks from pests and diseases, increased sensitivity to water and fertilizer demands, and greater susceptibility to lodging. In L橋村, Chengguan Township, large-scale grain farmer Yan Bo is leveraging a combination of smart technology and aerial drones to elevate mid-to-late-stage corn management, safeguarding the autumn harvest.

Within the high-standard farmland project area in L橋村, expansive stretches of corn display robust growth and steady stalk architecture, presenting a highly promising field appearance. Yan Bo monitors real-time soil moisture and seedling condition data through his mobile terminal, utilizing a newly established integrated water-fertilizer intelligent irrigation system. This system enables zoned, staggered irrigation based on crop water requirements, delivering water in small, frequent applications while precisely supplementing nutrients alongside irrigation. This approach conserves both water and fertilizer while efficiently securing ample moisture and nutrient supply during the crop's critical growth window.

Yan Bo, a large-scale grain farmer from Chengguan Township, explained: "Our corn was sown on June 15th and is now in the grain-filling stage, with one to two layers of kernels developing. During this phase, we must intensify pest and disease prevention efforts and apply foliar fertilizers to support continued grain development."

Beyond the ground-level smart systems, aerial drones have emerged as the new mainstay of field management, conducting unified pest control and foliar topdressing operations. During field operations, drones navigate along pre-set flight paths at steady speeds, dispersing atomized agrochemicals evenly across the entire canopy of corn stems and leaves. The operation is efficient, coverage is thorough, and a single pass delivers multiple benefits including disease prevention, pest control, and nutrient supplementation. This provides an all-around "nutritional protection package" for crop growth, significantly enhancing the scientific and intelligent level of field care.

Drone operator Yang Yang noted: "It's incredibly convenient, because during the later stages, pest infestations are difficult to manage manually, and aerial application via drones is simply unmatched in terms of ease and precision. Drones are absolutely essential nowadays."

Yan Bo elaborated on the integrated approach: "By coordinating ground-based and aerial operations, combined with smart agriculture, we ensure every plant gets adequate water and nutrients. This maintains stable yields while also aiming for record harvests, potentially boosting output by 30% to 50%."

This year, the county has planted approximately 1.35 million mu of corn, with overall crop conditions reported as favorable. Agricultural authorities are seizing this critical window for late-stage management, dispatching technical specialists to provide on-site guidance and promote the effective implementation of yield-boosting measures. These efforts are focused on delivering precise technical support for the grain-filling stage, helping farmers reduce costs and improve efficiency while ensuring a bountiful autumn harvest.