As corn enters its critical grain-filling stage, the final sprint for autumn grain yield formation is underway.

On September 2, at the Xiuerpu Town Xiu Chun Family Farm in Yongqiao District, an agricultural drone lifted off, smoothly gliding over vast cornfields to evenly spray a fine mist of liquid across the stalks and leaves. This marked the start of a precise and efficient integrated field management operation for the autumn crop.

"I planted 1,500 mu of corn this year. After the grain-filling period begins, the biggest fears are late-stage pests, diseases, and premature leaf aging. If management lags, the kernels won't fill fully, and yields will suffer," said Lei Ting, the farm's head, while adjusting the drone equipment. "We now use drones for uniform spraying, which saves time and effort and ensures even coverage. This year, the corn is growing well, so we're following the farming calendar closely to secure a solid autumn harvest."

"This drone was newly purchased this year, and each flight covers 20 mu," Lei explained. The sprayed solution is scientifically formulated to combine pest control, disease prevention, and grain-filling promotion. It targets common pests like corn borers, aphids, and whiteflies while preventing prevalent diseases such as northern corn leaf blight and southern rust.

A bountiful autumn harvest hinges on effective field management. In recent days, the Xiuerpu Town Agricultural and Rural Center has focused on field conditions, tracking crop growth milestones. Agricultural technicians have been deployed to the front lines for routine inspections and technical guidance, tailoring solutions to specific field conditions. This hands-on approach helps various farming entities tackle practical management issues. Currently, the town's corn has fully entered the key grain-filling phase, with all field management proceeding in an orderly fashion and crops showing balanced, promising growth.

"We guide farmers to combine scientifically tailored pesticide mixes, growth regulators, and foliar fertilizers for standardized unified pest control operations," said Qiu Yuejie, a senior agronomist at the center. This precise combination effectively manages late-stage pests and diseases, delays premature leaf aging, extends the grain-filling period, and boosts the crop's stress resistance and kernel-setting rate.

The town's leadership has committed to maintaining rigorous late-stage field management, providing ongoing technical support, and conducting dynamic pest monitoring. By refining measures to safeguard yields, they aim to stabilize the autumn grain production outlook and protect local food security.