The process of pollination is one of the most critical periods for grain yield determination in corn and successful pollination is largely determined by the successful synchronization between silk elongation, tassel emergence, and pollen shed.
Dan Quinn
In recent years, Indiana has experienced an increase in air quality concerns during the summer due to elevated incidence and severity of wildfires in Canada and the western U.S.
Recent storms which crossed Indiana brought welcome rains to current dry conditions, yet were not without additional challenges, which includes hail damage.
Many farmers in Indiana utilize starter fertilizer applications, specifically applied through the planter and in close proximity to the seed, which are known to provide benefits such as early crop access to necessary nutrients, improved and more rapid plant growth, and reduced grain moisture at harvest.
The biggest challenge so far this year for Indiana corn production has been the dry conditions experienced throughout the state (Figure 1).
He shares weed management tips and what growers are facing right now.
As a young agronomist, one of the first things I learned was that when assessing corn emergence and stand establishment following planting, is that it is always important to have a shovel with you.
Once the corn seed is planted, the waiting game for the first corn plants to emerge begins, which also means assessing (or worrying) if any issues had occurred.
As spring approaches and farmers and agronomists begin to get anxious as corn planting approaches, the question that often arrives each year is when is the best time to begin planting?
Sulfur Deficiency
Sulfur (S) deficiency has become more common in
Indiana crops because S emissions from coal-fired power
plants have decreased over the past few decades
(Camberato et al., 2022). Consequently, atmospheric S
deposition to soils has also decreased.
Sulfur deficient corn plants exhibit a general yellow-
green color from top to bottom of the plant, often also
with visible leaf striping (Fig. 1). Other nutrient deficiencies
can cause striping and can sometimes be confused with S
Pest&Crop newsletter -
Department of Entomology
Purdue University
901 Mitch Daniels Blvd
West Lafayette, IN 47907
© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Pest&Crop newsletter
If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Pest&Crop newsletter at luck@purdue.edu.