Corn Diagnostic Guide - Planting to Emergence

Appearance	Symptoms	Possible Cause(s)
Skips in rows where plants fail to emerge	No seed planted	Planter problem or malfunction Seed delivery system plugged or clogged Faulty or incorrect planter plates Empty planter box Uneven or irregular planting depth
	Kernels normal, not germinated	Seed not viable Seedbed too dry Seedbed temperature below 50 degrees F Fertilizer placed too close or in direct contact with seed Anhydrous or aqua ammonia injury
	Kernels swelled, not germinated	Seed not viable Soil too wet Seedbed temperature below 50 degrees F
	Rotted seed or seedlings	Seed not viable Cool, wet seedbed for prolonged period Fungal seed rots or seedling blights Pythium Diplodia Gibberella Rhizoctonia
	Sprouts twisted or leaves unfurled below soil surface	Crusted soil Soil compaction Cloddy soil allowing light to reach seedling too soon Herbicide injury such as: Alachor (Lasso) Metolachlor (Dual) Insecticide injury Excessive amount Misplacement Anhydrous or aqua ammonia injury Deep seed placement
Seed eaten, dug up or sprouts cut off	Kernels hollowed out	Seedcorn maggot Wireworm Seedcorn beetles
	Plants pulled up and kernel eaten	Crows, pheasants, blackbirds
	Unemerged seedlings and kernels dug up and eaten	Mice, ground squirrels, groundhogs, gophers, rats, skunks

Planting to Emergence || Emergence to 8-10 Leaves || 8-10 Leaves to Tasseling || Tasseling to Maturity || Corn Diagnostic Guide

Adapted by James H. Hill, Iowa State University - Hancock County Extension Education Director, from information prepared by Dale M. Studt, retired ISU Extension Crop Production Specialist.

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