What Is Corn Silking? A Guide to Pollination
What Is Corn Silking?
Corn silking refers to the emergence and elongation of silks, which are the functional stigmas of the female flowers of a corn plant.
Each silk connects to an individual ovule, and a silk must be pollinated for the ovule to be fertilized and develop into a kernel.
Silk elongation begins approximately at the V12 leaf stage and starts from the basal ovules of the cob, proceeding sequentially toward the tip of the ear.
Silks from the basal portion of the ear emerge first, while the tip silks emerge last.
Complete silk emergence from an ear generally occurs within four to eight days after the first silks emerge from the husk leaves.
If not pollinated, silk elongation stops about 10 days after silk emergence.
Silks remain receptive to pollen grain germination up to 10 days after silk emergence, but to a decreasing degree.
The majority of successful ovule fertilization occurs during the first 4 to 5 days after silk emergence.
Normally, silk emergence occurs at the same time as pollen shed, ensuring successful fertilization.
However, under severe drought stress, silk emergence may be delayed or fail completely, resulting in poor kernel set or barren cobs.
Key Points:
- Corn silking is the emergence and elongation of silks, which are stigmas of female flowers in corn plants
- Each silk connects to an individual ovule and must be pollinated for fertilization and kernel development
- Silk elongation begins at the V12 leaf stage and starts from the base of the cob, progressing towards the tip of the ear
- Basal silks emerge first, while tip silks emerge last
- Complete silk emergence takes four to eight days after the first silks emerge from the husk leaves
- If not pollinated, silk elongation stops about 10 days after emergence
Did You Know?
1. Corn silking is the process of the plant reproducing, as each strand of silk represents a potential kernel of corn.
2. The corn silk, or stigmas, is a natural antiseptic and has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate urinary tract infections and other bladder-related issues.
3. Farmers can determine the progress of their corn crop by observing the silk. If the silk turns brown, it is a sign that pollination has occurred successfully.
4. Each piece of silk on a corn cob is attached to a specific kernel, so a typical ear of corn can have around 800 strands of silk!
5. In the earlier days, people would dry corn silk and use it to make pillows and mattresses because it was believed to have soothing and calming properties.
Importance Of Silking And Pollen Shed In Corn Progress And Yield
The process of silking and pollen shed is crucial for the progress and yield of corn crops. Currently, about 59% of the nation’s corn crop is in the silking stage, according to the USDA. Silking refers to the emergence and elongation of silks, which are the functional stigmas of the female flowers of a corn plant. Pollen shed, on the other hand, is the release of pollen from the male flowers. These stages are essential for successful pollination and subsequent kernel development.
One important aspect is the timing of silking and pollen shed. Some stress-tolerant corn plants are capable of silking earlier than pollen shed. This time lag allows for a greater window for pollination, increasing the chances of successful fertilization and kernel development. Silks begin forming at the base of the ear and gradually move up to the tip. Each kernel on the ear has its own silk, and a single ear can have anywhere between 750 to 1,000 kernels.
During the silking stage, anthers (which contain pollen) should be visible on the tassels as silks emerge. Anthers release an impressive 2 to 5 million pollen grains, which typically disperse throughout the same field. The silks are fully emerged when pollination occurs, and the fertilization process takes around 24 hours. However, since a whole field can take up to 14 days to be successfully and entirely pollinated, corn plants are vulnerable to environmental stressors during silking and pollination.
Factors Affecting Corn Silking And Pollination Success
Several factors can impact the success of corn silking and pollination. Extreme heat and drought stress can pose a significant threat to the process. These conditions can cause delays in silk emergence, disrupt the synchronization of pollen shed and silk availability, or result in poor timing of pollen shed with silk emergence.
On the other hand, wet conditions can prevent anther opening and pollen shed.
If corn silking is delayed or does not synchronize with pollen shed, it can lead to kernel abortion and ultimately result in reduced yield. Heat or drought stress during pollination can also have a negative impact on the outcome. Additionally, poor timing of pollen shed with silk emergence due to heat or drought stress can lead to incomplete pollination and reduced kernel set.
To summarize:
- Extreme heat and drought stress can affect corn silking and pollination.
- Wet conditions can prevent pollen shed.
- Delayed or unsynchronized silking and pollen shed can cause kernel abortion and reduced yield.
- Poor timing of pollen shed with silk emergence due to heat or drought stress can result in incomplete pollination and reduced kernel set.
Methods To Determine Successful Pollination In Corn Crops
Determining whether a corn crop has been successfully pollinated is essential for assessing the potential yield. There are two commonly used methods to determine pollination success.
The first method is the ear shake test. By gently opening the husks and shaking the ear, it is possible to determine if pollination has occurred. If dark, curled up silks fall out, it is a good indication that pollination has taken place.
The second method is the blister test. This involves examining the ear ovules after successful pollination. At this stage, the ear ovules appear as white “blisters” before they develop into kernels. It is recommended to perform these tests in different areas of the field to account for any variations.
If there are any questions or abnormalities in pollination, it is advisable to contact a local Stine agronomist for guidance and assistance.
Impact Of Drought Stress On Silk Emergence And Pollination
Drought stress poses a significant challenge for corn silking and pollination. Severe soil moisture deficits can cause delays in silk emergence and disrupt the synchronization of pollen shedding and silk availability. This can ultimately result in poor kernel set or even barren cobs if there is no pollen present for the silks to capture.
Certain hybrids that are specifically bred for drought tolerance exhibit more aggressive silk behaviors, meaning their silks are more resilient in drought conditions. However, in certain scenarios, these hybrids may start silk production before any pollen is available, leading to inadequate kernel set at the base of the cob.
Incomplete silk emergence is often attributed to severe drought stress. Insufficient moisture can impede silk elongation and cause delays or complete failure in silk emergence. If the delay persists, pollen shedding may conclude before receptive silks become available, resulting in blank or empty cobs. Additionally, the exposure to severe drought stress can desiccate the silks, rendering them non-receptive to pollen germination.
Insects, Leaf Color Change, And Other Factors Influencing Corn Silking
Several factors can influence corn silking, including:
- Leaf color change: Green leaves gradually turning to grayish-tinged green is a sign that the plant’s life cycle is coming to an end.
- Insects: Pests like the corn rootworm beetle or Japanese beetle can damage silks and affect pollination. These insects can clip the silks, but the silk continues to grow from inside the husk at a rate of about one inch per day.
- Silk “balling”: This occurs when the silk fails to emerge straight and becomes twisted or coiled inside the husk. The exact causes of silk “balling” are not well understood but may be associated with physical restrictions or cool nights.
Understanding these factors is crucial for successful pollination and maximizing corn crop yield.
“corn silking and pollination are vital stages in the growth and development of corn crops. The timing and synchronization of silking and pollen shed play a crucial role in determining the success of pollination and subsequent kernel development. Factors such as drought stress, insects, leaf color change, and silk abnormalities can impact this process.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is silking in corn?
Silking in corn is a critical growth stage where the silks emerge from the ear to facilitate fertilization. This process is vital for successful pollination to occur and ultimately leads to the development of corn kernels. Silking follows the tasseling stage, and both stages must coincide for the effective transfer of pollen to the received silks.
What is corn silk?
Corn silk, which refers to the lengthy and lustrous threads found at the top of corn cobs, possesses medicinal properties. It is harnessed for its therapeutic benefits, particularly in treating a range of urinary tract issues. Notably, corn silk is used to alleviate bladder infections, inflammation in the urinary system, prostate inflammation, kidney stones, and bedwetting. With its natural healing properties, corn silk offers a potential remedy for various urological ailments and discomforts, providing relief to sufferers.
What is the process of corn silk?
The process of corn silk begins with the emergence of the initial silk strands from the husk leaves. These silks rapidly grow in length, sometimes reaching up to 1.5 inches per day for the first couple of days. However, as time progresses, the rate of growth gradually slows down over the next few days. This process continues until all the silks have fully emerged from the ear, which typically takes around four to eight days.
Is it OK to eat corn silk?
While corn silk is generally considered safe to consume in normal food amounts, there is limited information regarding its safety as a medicinal ingredient. It may potentially reduce potassium levels in the blood and lead to allergic reactions, skin rashes, and itching. Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering using it for medicinal purposes, and it is advisable to seek professional guidance before doing so.