GREENSNAP

Greensnap injury in corn is often unexpected and devastating, but we can be more aware, better prepared and make improved management decisions based on potential environmental circumstances.

What Is Greensnap?

Greensnap is a weather-related phenomenon that primarily occurs in the Western to Central corn-growing regions from high winds. These winds cause breakage at the node often during the corn plant’s rapid growth stages. The crop injury usually transpires in two windows of growth stages, which include V5 to V8 (late vegetative stages) or V10 to R2 (tasseling). This usually happens when yield potential is strong and the rapidly growing plant is undergoing rapid cell division. These healthy plants can grow from four feet anywhere to 7 to 10 feet within 17 to 21 days. When high wind events reach 80 mph, this is detrimental to rapid-growing corn. Once a weather event like this occurs, some plants are able to restore plant structure to the original vertical position to grow an ear, but if the node snaps, corn will either produce a very small ear or none at all. The effect on yield potential depends on how many stalks were snapped and where on the stalk the breakage occurred. Any time the plant structure and stalk are lost or broken, the ear and yield potential are also lost. For example, crops with 20% greensnap injury will experience a similar amount of yield loss.

What Can I Do to Prevent Greensnap?

To protect corn crops from snapping prematurely with greensnap, choose products that are somewhat resistant to greensnap. Keep in mind, products that are completely resistant simply do not exist, but some characteristics of products can better handle these extreme weather conditions than others. If conditions are right, anything can snap. DEKALB® corn seed has highly rated products to help prevent greensnap, such as DEKALB DKC42-65RIB Brand Blend, DKC42-64RIB Brand Blend, DKC44-97RIB Brand Blend and DKC44-98RIB Brand Blend. Soil is usually higher in elements such as potassium and nitrogen in the early part of the growing season, which make the plant more prone to injury. Crop insurance and planting dates are also key to help protect against greensnap. Talk to your local DEKALB and Asgrow® seed dealer for more information.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields.

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