May 2019

URL: http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/VStagePrediction.html

Predict Leaf Stage Development in Corn Using Thermal Time

R.L. (Bob) Nielsen
Agronomy Dept., Purdue Univ.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Email address: rnielsen at purdue.edu
Twitter: @PurdueCornGuy

 

eing able to predict when a field of corn will reach particular leaf stages can be useful for scheduling post-emergence applications of certain herbicides and sidedress N fertilizer, especially if your farming operation is so large that regular field inspections are difficult to work into your busy schedule. Leaf stage can be predicted on the basis of heat unit accumulation (aka growing degree days) from planting to the date in question.  

Review of Concepts. For a refresher on how to leaf stage corn plants, see my article "Determining Corn Leaf Stages". Another topic that probably needs reviewing is the concept of heat units (HUs) or growing degree days (GDDs).  The concept is important because corn phenology is very dependent on temperature. Heat unit or GDD calculation for corn phenology is described in another article “Heat Unit Concepts Related to Corn Development"".

Predicting Corn Phenology.  Once you understand corn leaf stage development and heat unit calculation, you can predict the leaf stage of development for a particular field given its planting date and temperatures since planting. It is useful if you know when the crop emerged, but if not you can estimate that event also.  Corn emergence typically requires from 100 to 120 GDDs from planting.

Useful Tip: One online source for accessing current GDD accumulations and estimating future GDD accumulation for specific locations, planting dates, and relative hybrid maturities is the Corn GDD Tool located at https://hprcc.unl.edu/gdd.php.

Previous research by one of my graduate students (Wuethrich, 1997) documented that corn leaf development rates can be accurately described by separate linear response curves for early and late vegetative development.  From emergence to leaf stage V10 (ten visible leaf collars), leaf collar emergence occurs at about one leaf every 82 GDDs (Wuethrich’s data suggested 85 GDDs, but 11 years of plot data since suggests closer to 82 GDDs). From leaf stage V10 to the final leaf, leaf collar emergence occurs more rapidly at approximately one leaf every 50 GDDs.

Useful Tip: From planting to about V6, the rate of plant development, including emergence, responds more closely to soil temperatures than to air temperatures. This time frame corresponds to the period when the main growing point (apical meristem) of the corn plant is located below the soil surface. Elongation of stalk internodes after V6 rapidly elevates the growing point (actually the tassel at the point in time) above ground. From that point forward, plant development is affected more directly by air temperature. Consequently, leaf stage prediction up to about V6 is more reliable if soil temperatures are used to calculate daily GDDs. After V6, air temperatures are the more predictive basis for GDD calculations.

Example 1: A field was planted on April 28 and emerged on May 5. Since May 5, approximately 535 GDDs have accumulated.  Based on our research data, the estimated leaf stage for the crop (without looking at the field, mind you) would be between V6 and V7 (6 leaves x 82 GDDs = 492 GDDs; 7 leaves x 82 GDDs = 574 GDDs). 

Example 2: A field was planted on April 28, but you do not know exactly when it emerged. Since planting, approximately 785 GDDs have accumulated.  If you assume that the crop emerged in about 120 GDDs, then the estimated leaf stage for the crop would be about V8. This estimate is calculated by first subtracting 120 from 785 to account for the estimated thermal time to emergence, then dividing the result (665) by 82 (equal to 8.1). 

Example 3: A field was planted on April 28 and emerged on May 5. Since May 5, approximately 1220 GDDs have accumulated.  Your familiarity with these calculations tells you that the crop is likely beyond V10 (equal to 10 x 82 or 820 GDDs since emergence). So, first subtract 820 from 1220 (knowing the crop is at least at V10). Divide the result (400) by 50 to equal 8 additional leaves; for a total estimated leaf stage of V18.

Keep in mind that estimates of leaf stage development are only that... Estimates. One of the factors that most influences the accuracy of these estimates is the existence or not of other growth-limiting stresses.  Severe plant stress will generally retard stem and leaf sheath elongation, thus delaying the appearance of leaf collars. However, what I have described here will put you in the proverbial ballpark in determining which fields are at which leaf stages on a given day. 

Related References

Ikley, Joe and Bill Johnson. 2018. Growth Stage Cutoffs for Herbicide Applications in Corn and Soybean. Pest & Crop Newsletter, Purdue Univ. Extension. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/growth-stage-cutoffs-for-herbicide-applications-in-corn-and-soybean [URL accessed May 2019].

Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2008. Tips for Staging Corn with Severe Leaf Damage.  Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/VStagingTips.html.  (URL accessedApr 2014).

Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2014. Determining Corn Leaf Stages. [On-Line]. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/VStageMethods.html (URL accessed Apr 2014).

Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2017. Heat Unit Concepts Related to Corn Development. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/HeatUnits.html.  (URL accessed Apr 2014). 

Purdue University. 2019. Corn & Soybean Field Guide (ID-179). https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/dtc/Pages/CSFG.aspx [URL accessed Apr 2014]

Wuethrich, Kirby. 1997. Vegetative and Reproductive Phenology of Fourteen Hybrids of Dent Corn (Zea mays L.). M.S. thesis, Purdue Univ.