Many farmers are pleasantly surprised on how fast their corn is drying down. They have also noticed that the kernels are not real tight on the cob this year. This is an indication that the corn plant possibly died prematurely. Premature death in corn is the result of any stress, alone or in combination that reduces or restricts the sugar making or photosynthetic capability during grain fill. It also enhances stalk rot development earlier than normal.
Some stresses can affect corn early and are just now becoming evident.
Symptoms of premature death show up as wilting and death of leaf areas. Premature death should not be mistaken for corn maturing early as a result of the growing season. With premature death the lower nodes and internodes become discolored. Separation and deterioration of the vascular stalk tissue is evident, and the crown root will be discolored and show signs of deterioration. Sugars can no longer translocate to the ear thus the maximum kernel capacity cannot be reached.