Reducing maize cob defects

Any maize cob abnormality needs to be analysed before it can lead to severe maize yield losses.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus deficiency can cause the maize cob to be defective, by taking on a distorted, twisted appearance with poor grain set at the point of the cob.

Optimum conditions (left) vs. potassium deficiency (right) in maize cobs

Potassium

Potassium deficient plants, show cobs smaller in size and can have incomplete maize grain set at the tip end.

Boron

Boron deficient grain set are restricted, with the maize cob having many missing kernels and a few large grains.

Copper

Copper deficient maize grains are deformed, leading to loss of yield and grain quality. 

See all maize articles