When you see those corn tillers coming on in your fields, what final scenarios can you expect?
After reading my All the right ingredients and The tiller timeline posts, you know when, where, and why tillers can appear in a corn field. If you DO have tillers showing up, there are three final outcomes to be expected - one of which is good, and two we found to be less favorable during the 2019 growing season.
Each of these three ends are discussed below, so hang on tight!
1. Vegetative Tillers
Vegetative tillers never reach the reproductive stage of shoot development. This can be due to factors such as a lack of plant resources, late development of the tiller, or a combination of the two. Tillers may remain viable, or may ultimately be aborted by the plant.
While these tillers do not produce any grain, it has been proven that vegetative tillers have the capacity to transport sugars and other nutrients from their leaves to the main plant. (We'll talk about this more in the future! )
2. Reproductive Tillers - Tassel Ears
Corn tillers that produce apical "tassel ears" have successfully reached the reproductive stages of development, but this outcome is still considered non-productive. Because the developing kernels are exposed and the "ear" is not well supported, grain is eaten, damaged, or laying on the ground when harvest begins.
A tassel ear results when the unisexual flowers of a developing corn tassel are determined as female (as in the ear) instead of male. This phenomena can occur in the main plant as well, and is dictated by genetics, environmental conditions, & hormonal imbalances.
(More to come on tassel ears as well! )
3. Reproductive Tillers - Lateral Ears
Corn tillers that produce lateral ears have successfully completed the intended reproductive process - that is, these tillers bear typical ears from axillary shoots on the stalk. Because these ears are protected and develop normally, tiller lateral ears are a reliable source of grain & can ultimately be harvested.
With these three scenarios in mind, our team is looking to provide answers on predicting how tillers will behave in YOUR cornfield. Is there a way to know if tillers will be productive before tassels appear? Can these development process be manipulated? Stay tuned.