Check corn roots

If there is a field or an area of the field that’s underperforming, producers should get out a shovel and investigate. As the close of the growing season nears, the roots act as a final report card.

They help tell a more complete story of the growing season. And in some cases, they can alert farmers to issues they didn’t even realize they had — issues that could worsen if not addressed.

When digging up corn roots late in the season, farmers are encouraged to sample from several areas of the field — specifically, an area that’s high-yielding, an area that’s lower-yielding and an area that’s average on yield. That helps tell a more complete story.

Farmers are advised to dig up about 10 plants from each of those spots. An eight-inch-by-eight-inch area will give producers a good root ball to look at. Anything smaller will likely prune roots.

There are three main things to look for when conducting early-fall root digs -- insect damage, disease pressure and root growth issues.

When looking at roots, look for signs of feeding. Corn rootworm pressure has been significant in recent years. The pests feed on roots and cause injury to corn. Farmers should check whether corn plants still have all five sets of nodal roots.

Examine corn roots for signs of disease. That might include discoloration, decay or a softening of roots. Farmers should split the root in half to check whether the main feeding pathway for the plant looks healthy, white and strong all the way to the crown.

Root growth is another factor to evaluate. Check whether corn roots went down deep into the soil or if they feathered out to form more of a mohawk. Sidewall compaction or hardpan resulting from wetness during planting can cause roots to feather out rather than stretching down deep into the soil.

Equipped with a better idea of what went well and/or what didn’t, farmers can start planning how to overcome any issues or tweak management to realize even more yield potential next season. Hybrid selection is one of farmers’ main tools for overcoming problems.

If farmers are dealing with insect pressure, they may be able to incorporate traits that offer protection. If roots tip a farmer off that disease is moving in, that field might be one to monitor closely and harvest early.

And of course, awareness of disease, insect pressures and soil conditions should inform a farmer’s hybrid selection for the coming season. If producers know they have tighter clay soils or some hardpan in a field, they may want to choose a hybrid with a more penetrating root that will be able to work down to get to water and nutrients. Hybrid selection is important in challenging environments.

Farmers don’t want to point fingers at something or spend money on a possible fix unless they know what the issue is. Corn’s root system can help clarify issues so a farmer can troubleshoot with purpose.