Does Black Layer Form When Corn Is Frosted?

Oct 14, 2014

Peter Thomison

Black layer is the stage in corn development at which kernel growth ceases and maximum kernel dry weight is achieved (also referred to as “physiological maturity”). A killing fall frost prior to physiological maturity can cause premature leaf death or whole plant death. This occurred over the weekend when temperatures dropped below freezing in some late planted Ohio corn that had yet “black-layered”. The impact of frost injury to immature corn was discussed in the September 23 C.O.R.N. newsletter ( http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-32/assessing-yield-losses-in-corn-due-to-frost ). A common misconception is that kernel black layer formation sometimes does not occur following a frost or other late-season severe stress. Kernel black layer always occurs (Nielsen, 2013). Any severe stress that occurs during the grain fill period will cause premature kernel black layer formation and is related to the reduction in or termination of sucrose (photosynthate) availability to the developing kernels (Afuakwa et al., 1984).

Afuakwa, J. J., and R. K. Crookston. 1984. Using the kernel milkline to visually monitor grain maturity in maize. Crop Science 24: 687-691.

Nielsen, R.L. 2013. Effects of Stress During Grain Filling in Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [online] http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GrainFillStress.html [URL accessed Oct. 2014].

Source : osu.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

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