Frost or freeze injury to corn will be obvious a few days after the fact. In general, corn less than 1′ will be OK after the cold temperatures we had early this week. Most corn seedlings show damage to foliage but none to growing points of plants. Below are comments from Dr. Nick Shay – UGA Extension Corn Specialist:
“Data from Nebraska and Purdue have highlighted the impact of frost damage on newly emerged corn seedlings. We know that exposure to above ground plant tissue will cause a wide range of responses from minor leaf injury to complete death. The good news is the growing point is still below the soil surface and is safe from exposure up and through the V4-6 growth stages of development (sigh of relief). Corn recovery from early season frost is dependent on a few factors. Dead leaf tissue can impede the recovery process and cause buggy whipping. Persistent conditions can increase risk of disease. Additionally, if plants were significantly impacted by frost, there may be a delay in silking by 7-10 days IF cool and wet conditions persist (It looks like our weather is bouncing back nicely).
Management tips:
Wait 4-5 days after a frost to see if new green growth emerges from the whorl.
Split plants and check to see if the growing point is brown or mushy.
Replant considerations – stands are severely reduced < 16 ,000- 20,000 depending on production system.
Side note: Early season popup fertilizer, especially the addition of phosphorus helps young plants to recover in the face of stressors like cold (ask Doug Amaral for any more information).
Recap: If our plants have not exceeded the V4 growth stage (4 leaf collars visible, not 4 leaves) and sustained frost injury, I have confidence that our crop will recover without impacting yield.“
Call if you have questions. Tucker Price 229-560-1279 or Josh Dawson 478-283-2949
