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Responsible for annual yield losses between 5 and 25%, corn stalk lodging not only reduces the amount of harvestable corn but can also lead to increased harvest time, increased drying cost and decreased grain quality.¹
📸:PBouman via iStock / Featuring an image of corn suffering from stalk lodging
Corn stalk lodging is when the stalk breaks below the ear after the plant has reached physiological maturity. As with many aspects of crop production, the factors that contribute to stalk lodging, such as weather events, are largely out of your control. However, implementing preventive measures can reduce the decline of stalk integrity and lessen the impact of corn stalk lodging.
Below, you’ll find seven factors that can lead to stalk lodging and tips to help minimize their impact.
The stalk strength of corn hybrids is dependent on several factors. The hybrid’s yield potential and how it allocates carbohydrates during grain fill can influence its susceptibility to stalk lodging. Hybrids bred for higher yield typically transfer a high percentage of carbohydrates from the stalks to the ears during grain fill, resulting in a significant reduction in corn stalk diameter. During this “stem shrinking process,” the weakness in the lower stalk makes it prone to breakage.
Additionally, some hybrids have a higher level of genetic resistance to stalk rot pathogens than others. When stalk rot is present, stalks weaken and are more likely to lodge when exposed to wind or other stressors. When selecting hybrids, look for those with low susceptibility to stalk rot and lodging.
If your seeding rate is too high, dense plant populations will force stalks to stretch for sunlight, growing taller and thinner as they attempt to reach through the thick canopy. As plants compete for light, nutrients and moisture, the competition for carbohydrates between the stalk and ear within the plant also increases. This intense competition can decrease vigor and make stalks more susceptible to rot.
Choosing seeding rates that promote high yield without causing unnecessary competition for resources can help decrease the risk of stalk lodging.
Optimal seeding rates depend on the hybrid, your soil conditions, fertility levels, and if the field has irrigation. High-yielding seeding rates typically range from 34,000 to 37,000, with seeding rates below 30,000 producing lower yields. The lower the plant population, the lower the risk of stalk lodging. However, seeding rates below 20,000 are not recommended due to their negative impact on grain yields.²
Pathogens that contribute to stalk rot subsequently increase the risk of lodging. These pathogens contribute to yield loss by weakening stalk integrity and making plants more likely to lodge. For example, in 2022 nearly half a million bushels of corn were lost as a result of lodging due to anthracnose damage.³ These pathogens include:
In addition to the stalk rots listed above, fungal diseases like tar spot and gray leaf spot cause foliar damage that impedes carbohydrate production from photosynthesis. When this process is interrupted, the corn plant will translocate carbohydrate reserves from the crown and lower stalk to complete grain fill, weakening the stand. Applying Veltyma® fungicide near the VT (tassel) stage can indirectly reduce stalk lodging by protecting the corn plant from numerous foliar diseases and plant stress. A healthier plant will draw less carbohydrate reserves from the stalk resulting in it being less susceptible to stalk rot.
Identifying which pathogen you’re dealing with can set you on the right path to treatment and management.
Learn more about identifying corn diseases:
Insect damage can compromise stalks and lead to lodging. Corn rootworm and European corn borer can both cause significant physiological stress to corn stalks, making plants susceptible to rot and stalk lodging.
Planting Bt corn (a genetically engineered, insect-resistant corn hybrid) can help prevent stalk lodging by reducing insect feeding and subsequent damage. Bt corn can protect crops from a variety of pests including European corn borer, corn rootworm, corn earworm, common stalk borer, armyworm, and southwestern corn borer.
Corn rootworm management, however, requires a combination of cultural, chemical and seed-based control since the pest has adapted to evade Bt control. Effective chemical control of corn rootworm can be achieved by using Nurizma™ insecticide at planting. Because Nurizma is a unique mode of action for corn rootworm, it is an effective resistance management tool to help growers control corn rootworm populations that may become resistant to Bt traits and other in-furrow insecticides.
Wind damage in corn includes leaning or flattened stalks. If stalks are flattened but unbroken and roots are still intact, within a week or so, the flattened stalks will often naturally right themselves, curving upward (goosenecking) to reach the sunlight.
📸:@SaraTM via Canva/ Featuring a photo of goosenecked corn
But even if corn plants do partially right themselves, this wind damage can impede photosynthesis and subsequently growth, pollination and grain fill.
Additionally, if high winds hit after a storm has already saturated the soil, root lodging may occur. Root lodging is when the root system has been pulled from the soil and is especially damaging late in the season when stalk elongation is complete and corn is nearly full height. At this point, recovery from root lodging is unlikely.
Soil nutrient levels play a role in the likelihood of corn stalk lodging occurring in your field. For example, too much nitrogen can increase risk of stalk lodging, reducing grain quality and yield potential.
Combining low potassium levels with high nitrogen levels creates an environment conducive to premature stalk death, stalk rot and lodging. Additionally, corn can become more susceptible to stalk lodging due to inadequate phosphorus or nitrogen levels.
Testing your soil to gauge nutrient levels and necessary inputs is critical.
Each of the following soil conditions early in the season hinders root development and increases the risk of stalk lodging:
These damaged soils do not allow proper water and nutrient flow while plants are establishing root systems. Plants with weak root systems are prime candidates for lodging.
If your soil is too wet, ensuring your field has adequate drainage can decrease plant stress. If your soil is too dry, proper irrigation if available can help mitigate the severity of drought stress. Both of these moisture management techniques can help reduce the risk of stalk rot and lodging.
Conducting a push or pinch test can help you evaluate your risks of corn stalk lodging prior to harvest.
Choose 20 plants in at least five random areas in a field.
If the results indicate that 10% or more of the stalks (two out of 20 stalks) have failed the test, early harvest may be recommended to avoid risk for stalk lodging. In general, lodging during the vegetative growth stages typically has minimal effect on yield. But when stalk lodging occurs late in the season as plants approach tasseling (VT), the potential for yield losses increases.
Learn more about the factors that impact corn stalk lodging:
Experts are available to help you make your decisions. Reach out to your seed retailer, a nearby extension office agent, or a seed company professional like your regional BASF representative.
Veltyma® Fungicide is a registered trademark of BASF. Nurizma™ is a trademarks of BASF.
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