NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
August 10, 2000
Crop genetics along with good growing conditions cause corn plants to creat an ear at the top of the plant or multiple ears at one node of the plant, says Denise McWilliams, extension crop production specialist for North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota.
Genetics along with high fertility can cause corn plants to develop an ear at the top of the plant, in the tassel. Hail or mechanical damage during early plant development may also result in more tassel ears. High light conditions can also reveal this trait in plants that have the genetics to produce tassel ears. Yields should not be affected by these unusual plants, McWilliams says.
Production of multiple ears at one node rather than a single ear is also caused by crop genetics, high fertility and ample light, she says. Low plant populations in a field may also help reveal this unusual trait. This trait occurs more frequently in certain sweet corn lines than in field corn.
Usually only the dominant ear will produce substantial yield. The side ears are usually barren with only a few kernels or may have other problems such as silk balling. If conditions are good yield will not be decreased by the extra nonproductive ears.
Multiple ears where all the ears are clustered together within individual and enfolding husks can cause other problems. The structure can hold water, leading to development of ear diseases, or may be more attractive to insects that feed on corn silks.
This trait is not generally encouraged in corn lines, but it does exist, McWilliams says. "Hopefully, this trait will be mapped and held for possible use in the future," she says. "If plant development could be speeded up and multiple ears produced without problems–what a yield potential!"
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Source: Denise McWilliams, (701) 231-8160
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865