Problems With Corn Seedlings This Year

Nancy Gregory, Plant Diagnostician; ngregory@udel.edu

Uneven stands have been seen this spring in corn fields. Corn seedling issues have been attributed mostly to environmental conditions, including dry soil at planting, resulting in variable depth of seeds and uneven emergence. Our early May weather resulted in wet, cool soil conditions conducive for fungi that invade young seedling roots and mesocotyls. Stress brought on by recent hot weather has exacerbated stress on seedlings. A recent article from Purdue University highlighted some issues also seen in the Midwest that apply to corn in Delaware:
http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/pestcrop/2012/issue8/index.html#seedling