Maze Cam
For much of the growing season, we were giving you try-weekly updates on
the maze appearance (meaning we TRY-ed to update the images on a weekly basis).
In addition to those images shown below, we can now offer you
live
views of the Boiler Mazer through the end of the show on 27 September. The
Web cam is located some 80 feet up in the air on a steel tower erected by
Prairie iNet that is
being used first and foremost for wireless Internet connectivity during the
Farm Progress Show.
Note: The images are arranged in reverse order
with the newest dates listed first. The 'thumbnail' images below are linked to
larger versions. Simply click on the image to 'pop up' a larger one in a new
browser screen. Close the 'pop up' screen to return to this page.
- 3 Sep 2001
(No larger image
available)
- This one-meter resolution satellite image of the Boiler Mazer was
collected 3 September 2001 by Space Imaging's IKONOS satellite. IKONOS travels
423 miles above the Earth's surface at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour.
Credit:
spaceimaging.com.
Copyright ©Space Imaging. All rights reserved. Online and news media
distribution or publishing requires
permission from Space Imaging.
-
- 1 Sep 2001
- The peak of the Boiler Mazer's glory is now behind us. The once lush
green appearance of the corn plants is beginning to change to the golden glow
of harvest maturity. The entrance to the maze is flanked by a lineup of
historical soybean varieties on the left and a collection of crops grown around
the world on the right. The grain is now in the
late
dent stage of
kernel
development. The
kernel
'milk line', a transition boundary between sugary liquids and drier starch,
is halfway down the kernels. Physiological maturity is 10 to 14 days away.
-
- 17 Aug 2001
- Since the Maze Cam last visited the Boiler Mazer on 27 July, the crop
has moved along rapidly and is now at the
early
dough stage of kernel development. The narrower trails are
shady and
inviting on a late summer day, but some pesky
lambsquarter
and velvetleaf weeds have taken advantage of the wider, more sunlit trails.
-
- 27 July 2001
- The critical flowering period for the corn in the Boiler Mazer is
nearly complete and all is looking well. The growth stage of the crop is
technically late R1, still silking but almost complete. Kernels will quickly
begin the important
grain filling
period. The plants are now at their full height, reaching more then ten
feet towards the blue sky. The exposed silks on the ears, having completed
their role in the reproductive process, are beginning to dry out.
-
- 18 July 2001
- During the past week of warm weather, the plants in the maze have
progressed three leaves to the V17 growth stage (17 leaves with visible leaf
collars). Only about a week remains before the plants enter the critical
tasseling and
silking phases.
Some of the mowed corn in the trails is still trying to recover and stands as a
testament to the survival skills of this King of American Crops! Some
opportunistic weeds, including lambsquarter, are trying to establish a foothold
in the more expansive trail areas of the maze; but their destiny with a hoe
lies ahead.
-
- 11 July 2001
More Aerial
Imagery
- These aerial images were taken fourteen days after the last flight.
The maze design has become more distinct now that the corn is shoulder- to
head-high (growth stage V12 - 14). The
lettering
that spells 'PURDUE' and 'FARM PROGRESS' has become less distinct because of
corn leaves intruding into the narrow widths of those mown areas.
-
- 10 July 2001
- Since the last corner photo was taken (26 June), the corn has
progressed from the 8-leaf to about the 13-leaf collar stage of development. A
thunderstorm with strong winds passed through the area two days earlier.
Thankfully, little damage occurred in the maze, although there was a minor
proportion of plants that simply snapped in the wind. The phenomenon is termed
'green snap' and occurs most frequently when corn is going
through its rapid growth phase prior to tassel emergence. Plants snap cleanly
in two at a stalk node or joint.
-
- 27 June 2001
More Aerial
Imagery
- These aerial images were taken eight days after the initial mowing of
the maze design.
Variability in corn size and height are evident in these
photos. The variability is related primarily to soil type differences in the
maze area.
-
- 26 June 2001
- In the seven days since the trails were first mowed, the corn has
progressed two leaf stages and is now at the V8 stage of development. The corn
is about 30 inches tall, not yet tall enough to create claustrophia, but does
begin to create a bit of
confusion
for the maze traveler. Since the
growing
points of the plants at the time of mowing were not yet elevated uniformly
above the height of the mower cut, there is
some
regrowth occurring in the
trails
and especially in the
'window'
of the Boilermaker Special.
-
- 19 June 2001
- The
corn is at the V6 stage of development. Now that the weather has finally warmed
up, the corn is developing at a pace of about one leaf every four days. Here's
a
little
closer view of the maze area. Here's an
aerial
view of the maze after we finished mowing the design into the standing
corn.
-
- 7 June 2001
- The corn is at the V3 stage of development. The second straight week
of cooler than normal temperatures continues to slow corn development. Here's a
little
closer view of the maze area.
-
- 31 May 2001
- The corn is at the V2 stage of development. The slow rate of corn
development since last week is due to the continued unusually cool
temperatures. Here's a
little
closer view of the maze area.
-
- 24 May 2001
- The corn is at the V1 stage of development. The intersections and
dead ends of the maze trails are staked and marked with road marking paint. Not
very impressive yet, is it?
For More Information....
For
more information about geospatial technologies for crop production, take a look
at Purdue's Site-Specific Management Center on the World Wide Web at
http://www.purdue.edu/ssmc
For more
information about corn, take a look at the Corn Growers Guidebook on the World
Wide Web at http://www.kingcorn.org. For more information about corn
mazes, check out the Corny Mazes
section of KingCorn.org.
It is the policy of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal
opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race,
color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Purdue University is
an Affirmative Action employer. This material may be available in alternative
formats.
© 2001, Purdue University
End of document
The Boiler Mazer
