Poor Ear Fill
Return to physiological, nutritional, and other disorders
Poor ear fill will result in misshapen, unmarketable ears. There are many causes of poor ear fill. Poor pollination can result in cob tissue near the tip of an ear with no kernels. Severe drought stress during development can also result in short, misshapen ears as well as “skips” in kernels.
Uneven ear fill.
(Photo: Brent Rowell, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Plant corn at proper spacing and in blocks to ensure adequate available pollen.
- Avoid drought-stressing corn from silking through ear development.
