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Corn Growth Stages

Chad Lee, Ph.D.


Grain Crops Extension Specialist
University of Kentucky
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky

All growth stages presented here are based on


How a Corn Plant Develops, Special Report No. 48
Iowa State University Press
$2.00

Extension Distribution Center


119 Printing and Publications Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3171
Telephone: (515) 294-5247
Fax: (515) 294-2945
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/Order.html
The material in this presentation comes from Iowa
State Special Report No. 48. This is an excellent
resource for any producer or agronomist.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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

V(n) nth leaf

R5 dent

VT tasseling

R6 physiological maturity

* When staging a field of corn, each specific V or R


stage is defined only when 50 percent or more of the
plants in the field are in or beyond that stage.
http://maize.agron.iastate.edu/corngrows.html
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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

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University of Kentucky

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.

Root hairs begin to


form on Nodal
Roots.
Seminal Root
growth has
basically stopped.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

V6
Tassel
development
has started.
Ear shoot
formation has
also started.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

V6:

Typically when lower leaves begin to tear off of stalk.

To be certain about V-stages beyond


V6:

Split the entire stalk (from the tip to the


roots) in half with a knife.

The first five nodes will be clustered


near the bottom of the stalk and the 6th
node will be very close to the soil line.
Count nodes above the 6th node to
determine how many nodes are present.
The total number of nodes equals the Vstage of the plant.

For example 7 nodes = V7 corn.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

V6

Ear shoot.
Growing point is
above the ground.

Nodal Root System


is the primary root
system for
nutrients and
water.

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V6
Premature Tassel

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V9

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V9
Growth rate rapidly increases. Greater demand for nutrients and water.

Ear shoot.
Ear shoot.

Growing point.

Ear shoot.

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University of Kentucky

V12
Both kernel size and kernel number are being determined.

Any limits on water or nutrients at this phase will drastically


impact yields.

Earlier maturing hybrids will pass through this phase faster


than later maturing hybrids.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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.
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University of Kentucky

V15
Ear shoots near the top of the plant are
starting to out-grow ear shoots lower on
the plant.

Lower part of plant

Upper part of plant

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University of Kentucky

V18

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V18

Lower part of plant

Upper part of plant

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

V18

Lower part of plant

Upper part of plant

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University of Kentucky

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

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

Pollen shed

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R1 - Silking
Silks starting to emerge.

N uptake is rapid.
P uptake is rapid.
K uptake is nearly complete.

Watch for corn borer feeding.

Moisture is needed for pollination.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

R1 - Silking
Cob material

Premature kernel

Two to three days are required for all silks on an ear to be pollinated.
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University of Kentucky

R2 - Blister
Ear size is nearly complete.
Fertilized silks are starting to dry
out.

An miniature corn plant has


started to develop within the
premature kernel.

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University of Kentucky

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.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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.

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

R6 Physiological Maturity

Blacklayer
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University of Kentucky

R6 Physiological Maturity
Kernel is about 30 35%
moisture.
Kernels need to be at 13 to
15 % moisture for safe
storage.

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

V(n) nth leaf

R5 dent

VT tasseling

R6 physiological maturity

* When staging a field of corn, each specific V or R


stage is defined only when 50 percent or more of the
plants in the field are in or beyond that stage.
http://maize.agron.iastate.edu/corngrows.html
Grain Crops Extension,
University of Kentucky

Grain Crops Extension,


University of Kentucky

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