Agronomic Insights

“Rootless or Floppy Corn Syndrome” describes an environmental/cultural problem where the corn rooting node is exposed or located in hot or dry soil. It is easier to prevent than to cure.

Now is the time when corn producers should be out in their fields assessing stands to determine if replanting is necessary. Replant decisions are never easy and are ultimately determined by which decision provides the greatest net income.

This is the time of the growing season for questions on corn emergence and seedling problems. Weather factors, soil conditions, insect damage, plant diseases, fertilizer and pesticide injury, or combinations of these factors may lead to emergence or seedling problems.

Corn seed size and shape is, in large part, determined by the location of the kernel on the ear. Typically small rounds and some small flats come from the ear tip, large rounds come from the bottom of the ear and the center of the ear produces flats.

In some areas there is a question as to whether or not they need to spend the money on hybrids with a corn root worm trait; especially when they rotate their crops.

Sometimes questions arise concerning the length of time needed for corn to emerge. Following are a few of steps in that process of corn germination.