Extension > Agriculture > Crops > Corn Production > Growth and development
Growth and development
Emergence and stand establishment
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Corn and soybean emergence and early growth
Resources and tips for growers waiting for their plants to emerge, explaining why emergence may be coming later than usual and how a grower can assess if they'll need to replant. Crop News, 2005.
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Corn comments: uneven plant height
Many Minnesota cornfields are experiencing drastic height differences between plants caused by a variety of factors, and while plant height will never completely even out, yields should not be appreciably affected by these differences. Crop News, 2004.
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Why is corn so uneven this year?
While much of Minnesota's uneven corn growth experienced in 2003 can be blamed on nutrient deficiencies, a variety of other field characteristics could be responsible for stunted plant growth. Crop News, 2003.
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That purple corn is back again
While purple corn is typically evidence of a phosphorous deficiency, these color changes are most likely due to a situation called the "fallow system." Crop News, 2003.
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Evaluating corn stands
When there is evidence of rotting in corn seeds, growers should carefully evaluate the situation and replant if needed. Crop News, 2002.
Growth and development
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Normal field corn development stages in August for Minnesota
Typical corn development stages described by age in days and physical characteristics of the kernel and cob. 2012.
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Growing degree days—corn growth and yield
Temperature affects crop growth and development. Accumulation of heat during the growing season can be used as a predictor of plant developmental progress. Crop News, 2007.
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When is a growing degree day not a growing degree day?
Heat accumulation during the growing season can be used as a predictor of plant development, but corn development is still lagging so there is the question of how effective this temperature accumulation really is for corn development. Crop News, 2001.
Weather and crop damage
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Field Guide for Evaluating Corn Damage and Replant Decisions
A guide to help growers evaluate damage due to factors like hail, insect feeding, and flooding, and make the decision whether or not replanting is necessary.Download the guide (47.7 KB PDF) or order a full-color pocket version in the Extension Store.
Moisture stress
- Dry conditions during corn pollination in MinnesotaDry conditions could affect the success of pollination, but ultimately kernel loss will depend on current soil moisture levels and future rainfall. Crop News, 2012.
- Considerations for flooded corn and soybean, Excess water affects thousands of crop acres each year, typically in small, low-lying areas of fields that drown out frequently. Crop News, 2008.
- Kernels or not—low moisture, high temperature, A simple method to determine the fertilization success. Crop News, 2006.
- Corn comments—cold and wet, Corn is notably shorter than the last 5 year averages. Will corn height catch up? Will short corn have good yields? Crop News, 2004.
- Flooding, A special edition of Crop News outlining flood-related safety concerns, economic effects of flooding, and resources affected by flooding. Crop News, 1997.
Spring frost
- Spring frost damage, Early corn emergence dates increase the risk of spring frost damage, especially in low-lying areas in the northern part of Minnesota. Crop News, 2010.
- Corn stand evaluation, Frost damage will make corn stand evaluation more difficult, but most fields are expected to recover from the frost well. Crop News, 2010.
Hail
- Assessing hail damage in corn and soybeans, Assessing hail damage and making replant decisions can be difficult, with many variables to consider on your way to making a final decision. Crop News, 2012.
- Hail damaged corn and soybean, Survivability estimates for hail damaged corn and soybean plants, as well as online guides for evaluating damage and making replant decisions. Crop News, 2009.
Wind
- Wind and hail damage to pollinating corn, Types of damage observed in wind and hail affected corn plants, along with root lodging and stalk breakage from high winds. Crop News, 2008.
- Corn development and maturity as affected by wind damage, Severely damaged immature corn will likely shut down prematurely, but if silage is an option, it is the preferred choice for utilizing damaged, immature corn. Crop News, 2006.
- Corn lodging- What Can We Expect?, Extreme winds can cause corn to lodge badly, which will likely yield lower and make harvesting more difficult. Crop News, 2004.
Early frost
- Yield and harvest consideration for frost-damaged corn, Information regarding the symptoms of frost damaged corn, and its effect on yield, quality, and moisture. Crop News, 2011.
- Maturity, frost and harvest moisture considerations for corn, When corn reaches maturity later than usual, there is a decent chance that those plants will receive a frost before reaching maturity. Crop News, 2008.
- Frost on corn and soybeans, An assessment of areas affected by early frost, including damages and the impact on yields. Crop News, 2004.
- Examing growing season climates in south-central Minnesota, The cold growing season has exposed this year's corn and soybean crops to higher risk of frost damage. Crop News, 2004.
- Early frost: historically common? History has shown that when record or near record low temperatures occur, crops may not reach maturity and become vulnerable to further damage. Crop News, 2004.
- The corn crop – frost and maturity, An update of corn development as the crop moves toward maturity. Crop News, 2004.
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