CROP SCENE INVESTIGATION – 12 SOLVED: Why is Glen’s corn corkscrewed?

by DEAN SHANTZ

Cold injury caused Glen’s corn to corkscrew, contributing to an uneven stand.
The cold nights and rains after planting caused the corn seed to absorb cold water and experience cold injury or “inhibitional chilling injury.” This affected germination, delayed seedling growth and even caused some plants to leaf out underground and have a corkscrew appearance.

Damage due to cold injury is most severe when temperatures remain at or below 10 C for an extended period of time after planting. While this contributed to Glen’s uneven stand, it wasn’t the only factor. Cases like these often involve more than one culprit.

Better Farming - November 2008