Battle for the Belt: Season 3, Episode 23: Abnormal Corn Ears

Season 3, Episode 23 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6dojxYXhLE

In Episode 23, we hear from Dr. Osler Ortez, the Corn Specialist at Ohio State. Dr. Ortez shares observations from the Battle for the Belt 2.0 plots, or the replant study, emphasizing how different stress factors can lead to abnormal corn ear development.

After some scouting at the Wooster location, several abnormal corn ears were identified with sporadic occurrence (not widespread). When abnormal ears are present, they serve as an indication of stress during different timings of the crop season and can lead to yield losses.

Figure 1. Abnormal corn ears poster. Source: OSU Extension, ACE-1-15. LINK.

Among the issues observed were tassel ears. In this scenario, an ear will form in place of a tassel and is typically near the field edges or tillers. The occurrence of silk clipping was also identified, where insect feeding damages the silks and can limit pollination. Another abnormality found was incomplete kernel set (Figure 1). Parts of the ear fail to develop kernels due to poor pollination, often a result of stress or limited pollen/silk viability (and their synchrony).

Other abnormalities include zipper ear, characterized by missing kernel rows. Tip-back, also referred to as tip die-back, is seen as the top portion of the ear lacking kernels due to high plant population or stress. Tip back at a low level can be a common characteristic in some hybrids. In some ears, kernel abortion was found, a condition where kernels fail to develop – this is generally an indication of stress during the grain fill period.

Two other symptoms noted were multi-ears (or bouquet ears) and short-husk. Multi-ears can often result from secondary ear development when damage to the primary ear occurs (or loss of apical dominance). These multi-ears developing in the same node/shank are typically less productive (low kernel number/weight). On the other hand, short-husk ears happen when the husk does not fully cover the ear. This has the potential to aid in drying, but it will also increase exposure to pests, pathogens, and moisture, compromising grain quality in some cases. Just like tip-back, short-husk ears at a low level can be a common characteristic in some genetics.

These field observations serve as a reminder for growers to scout their fields and evaluate ear development this season. Stress during vegetative, pollination, or reproductive stages (e.g., insects, weather, mechanical) can result in ear abnormalities that lead to lower yield. For more information on this topic (e.g., ear types, causal factors, development timing), access:

• Abnormal Ears in Corn—When and Why Do They Develop? LINK
• Abnormal ear development in corn: A review – LINK
• OSU Extension’s Abnormal Corn Ears poster – LINK

What’s happening in the field?

Figure 2. State of Ohio Drought Status from the U.S. Drought Monitor from September 1, 2025.

Dry conditions continue to persist across the state (Figure 2). In particular, Wood County, the location of our Northwest Agricultural Research Station which has officially reached a D1 status (moderate drought). Despite the dryness, crop progress remains promising in both crops at all three locations. All five planting dates at each site have now reached the reproductive stages. The last to reach this milestone was corn from planting date five in Wooster.

Figure 3. R6 Soybean, full seed, Northwest. Photo Credit: Maria Kessler.

Soybeans from planting dates one and two had been stalled at the R5 growth stage for several weeks, but they have now progressed to R6 or full seed (Figure 3). Lower leaves begin to yellow at this stage of growth. One key issue to look out for, as the seeds continue to grow, is stink bug activity. This soybean pest has been observed at all three research locations. Their straw-like mouthparts allow them to poke directly through the soybean pod and feed on developing seeds. Seeds that are later in development will become shriveled, which can ultimately reduce yield and overall seed quality. For more information on how to identify and manage stink bugs, refer to the Field Guide to Stink Bugs of Ohio Soybean: LINK.

In corn, planting dates one and two remain at the R5 or dent stage. These plants are progressing steadily toward R6 or physiological maturity. Later planting dates in corn range from R1 (silking) to R4 (dough) stages. For further information regarding weather data and current growth stages across our research sites, see Table 1 below.

Table 1. Precipitation, soil temperature, average air temperature, and cumulative GDDs at the Western Agricultural Research Station, the Northwest Agricultural Research Station, and Wooster Campus. Weather data retrieved from: https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/.

Keep following the ‘Battle for the Belt’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.