The occurrence of severe photosynthetic stress (severe drought, extreme heat, severe nutrient deficiency, severe foliar disease) during or shortly after pollination in corn often results in poorly filled ears due to incomplete pollination or abortion of young kernels.
Seems like every year some fellow walks into the Chat ‘n Chew Cafe carrying an odd-looking tassel that is part tassel and part ear to show off to the guys over at the corner table.
Areas of Indiana have been exceptionally dry since early July.
Serious crop stress during the grain filling period of corn increases the risk of stalk rots and stalk lodging (breakage) prior to grain harvest.
Corn is often harvested at grain moisture contents higher than the 15% moisture typically desired by grain buyers.
Droopy ears are cute on certain breeds of dogs, but droopy ears on corn plants prior to physiological maturity are a signal that grain fill has slowed or halted.
CBD hemp harvest is underway for some growers, while others expect to harvest all the way into October.
Given the near record late planting of the 2019 Indiana corn crop and the continuing agony of delayed development of the crop, much of the coffeeshop talk down at Cecil’s Corner Cafe in recent weeks has centered on the risk of the late crop not maturing before a light frost damages the crop or an outright lethal freeze (28F) kills the crop.
Delayed planting of corn in the upper Midwest often increases the risk that the grain will not mature prior to a killing fall freeze. Physiological maturity occurs near the time the so-called “black layer” develops at the tips of the kernels where they connect to the cob (Nielsen, 2019a).
Early September often brings an end to crops irrigation needs, but late planting and a cool growing season has resulted in delays of crop development of a month (or more) in some fields in 2019.
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