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- Top Leaf Death or Dieback in Corn
Originally published on July 17, 2018
Please see this post on top death in field corn by Dr. Dan Fromme: LSU AgCenter Corn, Cotton and Grain Sorghum Specialist.
We all know that as a corn crop progresses toward physiological maturity, the leaves naturally begin to senesce (die). The timing and pattern of leaf senescence are genetically regulated but are also influenced by environmental triggers, including sever photosynthetic stress. This year, where much of the grain fill period has experienced severe drought and/or heat stress, the onset of leaf senescence can occur earlier than expected prior to kernel black layer. This means leaves begin to die sooner than expected, and the leaf pattern of leaf senescence sometimes changes.
Most often the leaf pattern of senescence that we see in most years is one where leaf death begins at the bottom of the plant and slowly moves up toward the upper leaves. However this year, due the late season stress, leaf senescence is progressing from both the bottom and the top of the plant with green leaves remaining in the middle of the plant for some time until complete leaf senescence occurs. Also, these fields appear to cause an unusual golden glow in the upper canopy against the morning or evening sun. The impact or effect on grain yield will depend on how early in the grain filling period the death of the upper leaves occurs. This year, we might see some test weights on the low side.
Citations: Nielson, R.L., Top leaf death or dieback in corn .2011. Purdue University Department of Agronomy.
Top leaf death in irrigated corn at the Dean Leaf Research and Extension Center, Alexandria, Louisiana, three quarter milk stage. July 17, 2018. Primarily due to high temperatures.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture