Abnormal Ear Development in Corn

Abnormal ears have been reported for more than 100 years and they are still reported to date. Intensive study for over a century has resulted in a strong understanding of corn's growth and development. However, in 2016 widespread events of abnormal corn ears were reported in several U.S. states, including Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois, which stretched our understanding. Abnormal ears decrease yields. This presentation will summarize findings from three recent studies on these concerns:

1. conditions potentially affecting corn ear formation, yield, and abnormal ears
2. a comprehensive review of the literature with abnormal ears’ symptoms, causes, and timing of development 
3. field survey results from 15 farmer fields that studied several of these abnormalities in 2016