Professional Documents
Culture Documents
http://maize.agron.iastate.edu/corngrows.html#stages
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
Vegetative Stages
Reproductive Stages
VE emergence
R1 silking
V1 first leaf
R2 blister
V2 second leaf
R3 milk
V3 third leaf
R4 dough
R5 dent
VT tasseling
R6 physiological maturity
VE
Development of
Nodal Roots
How a Corn Plant Develops, Special Report No. 48, Iowa State University, 1998
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
V3
V3
Growing point
is below the
soil surface.
Frosts on the
surface will not
kill the plants.
Freezing soil
temps will kill
the plant.
Flooding can
kill plants.
V6
Tassel
development
has started.
Ear shoot
formation has
also started.
V6:
V6
Ear shoot.
Growing point is
above the ground.
V6
Premature Tassel
V9
V9
Growth rate rapidly increases. Greater demand for nutrients and water.
Ear shoot.
Ear shoot.
Growing point.
Ear shoot.
V12
Both kernel size and kernel number are being determined.
About 10-12
days from
silking.
V15
Entering the
most critical
stage for yield
determination.
The plant is
most sensitive
to water and/or
nutrient stress
at this stage.
Irrigation- the 4
weeks around
silking are the
most critical.
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
V15
Ear shoots near the top of the plant are
starting to out-grow ear shoots lower on
the plant.
V18
V18
V18
VT - Tassle
Occurs when
last branch of
tassel is visible
but before silks
emerge.
Most
susceptible to
hail damage at
this stage.
Complete leaf
loss at VT will
result in little to
no yield.
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
VT
Pollen shed
R1 - Silking
Silks starting to emerge.
N uptake is rapid.
P uptake is rapid.
K uptake is nearly complete.
R1 - Silking
Cob material
Premature kernel
Two to three days are required for all silks on an ear to be pollinated.
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
R2 - Blister
Ear size is nearly complete.
Fertilized silks are starting to dry
out.
R3 - Milk
Kernels are becoming yellow on the outside.
Silks are dry.
Kernels are at 80% moisture.
Stress becomes less of a factor as kernels start to dry down.
R4 - Dough
Fluid in the kernel is becoming a consistency similar to dough. (70% moisture)
Almost of the dry weight has been accumulated.
Five embryonic leaves have formed in the kernel.
These will be the first five leaves of a new plant as it emerges next year.
R5 - Dent
Most of the kernels have dented on the top.
Most kernels are about 55% moisture at the start of R5.
A starch layer has formed and begins to progress down the kernel.
A frost will stop dry matter accumulation and reduce yields.
R6 Physiological Maturity
Blacklayer
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky
R6 Physiological Maturity
Kernel is about 30 35%
moisture.
Kernels need to be at 13 to
15 % moisture for safe
storage.
Vegetative Stages
Reproductive Stages
VE emergence
R1 silking
V1 first leaf
R2 blister
V2 second leaf
R3 milk
V3 third leaf
R4 dough
R5 dent
VT tasseling
R6 physiological maturity