Shading stress during the rainy season in Southern China can hurt the growth of fresh waxy maize. Researchers studied how shading at different times after pollination affected the crop's yield and nutrient levels. They found that shading reduced the amount of maize produced and increased its water content. Shading early in the grain filling process had the biggest impact on reducing yield. It also lowered the amount of nutrients like nitrogen in the maize. Overall, shading during the grain filling stage can significantly decrease the amount of maize produced by affecting how the plant stores and uses nutrients.