Corn Nutrient Deficiency from Sidewall Compaction

Chad Lee, Extension Professor and Agronomist, University of Kentucky

This corn field had numerous plants that were stunted with striped leaves. This field was adequate to high in soil test values and had proper pH. When we dug up some plants, we found that the majority of stunted plants suffered from sidewall compaction. Images of the field, the leaf symptoms and the compacted roots follow.

Field where most of the corn appeared yellow with striped leaves.

Looking Ahead: Expect to See Sidewall Compaction

Chad Lee and Carrie Knott, Extension Agronomists, University of Kentucky

Figure 1. Open seed furrow is a good indicator
of sidewall compaction.

The calendar says we are getting late on planting corn. While the soil conditions are probably more important than planting date, there will be intense pressure on producers to plant corn this week. That means that some fields will likely get planted too wet. Getting into a field too soon is completely understandable given the logistics of planting multiple fields and trying to "sneak in" a field between rains.