This triggers anthocyanin pigment formation and causing the purplish color see photo. Restricted root growth induced by compacted soils and compacted furrow side-walls is also closely associated with purpling of corn. On some fields, the purplish color is more visible in field headlands and in spots within fields and wheel tracks.
Sometimes the phosphorus P deficiency also causes purple coloration, but early season P deficiencies may be related to the restricted root growth.
Soil test levels should determine P sufficiency in the soil. If sufficient P is present, adding more phosphorus will not turn purple leaves green. Research on understanding purple corn has shown the anthocyanin pigment is produced only on the surface layer of cells and does not affect the chlorophyll content in the leaf. Therefore, early season purple coloration does not generally impact corn yield. Furthermore, there are some genetic differences in the predisposition of corn hybrids to purple coloration.
Young corn plants that turn purple usually grow out of the symptoms after about the six-leaf stage. When the weather warms up and rapid growth resumes, sugars are metabolized normally and plants attain their normal green color. As warmer, sunny weather will increase root and plant growth rates and plant color will turn green again.
Mark Licht is an assistant professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. His extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and en You are here Home. Purple and yellow corn. Soil pH less than 5. Acidic soil also reduces root growth, which is critical to phosphorus uptake.
Leaves normally regain green coloration when further root exploration occurs, especially when favorable growing conditions prevail. However, phosphorus deficiency will reduce yield by delaying maturity, stunting growth, and restricting energy utilization.
Treatment options to remedy phosphorus deficiency have modest short-term effectiveness, since phosphorus is immobile in the soil solution. Thus, root exploration into the amended area is required for plant uptake. Surface application of phosphorus fertilizer will limit availability to the top couple inches of soil.
Phosphorus injected as a side-dress treatment would increase availability to the root system, however, be careful not to prune roots. Autumn is officially here! Temperatures are cooling, leaves are changing, and there will be more branches than foliage soon.
Take a break, but also take time to check off these tasks. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering another year of free testing for often overlooked nematode pests that frequently cause poor crop performance. You are here Home Agriculture Soils Why is my young corn stunted and purple? Why is my young corn stunted and purple?
Primer reviews soil management after Ida. Extension can test soil for carbon content. MSU Extension extends free soil nematode tests to
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