Corn School: What are 'tip back' ears telling you? 

Corn yields in Ontario have been increasing 2 bu/ac or one per cent per year over the past 40 years.
Where is that yield increase coming from? University of Guelph associate professor David Hooker says genetics (65 per cent) and agronomy (35 per cent) are the key contributors to bigger corn crops. Corn breeders can take a bow for their efforts, but Hooker notes that understanding corn physiology and strong agronomic practices will help growers realize more of that genetic yield potential in their fields.
On this episode of the RealAgriculture Corn School, Hooker talks corn physiology 101 with host Bernard Tobin and how corn yields reflect a combination of genetics, environment, and management. In the video, Hooker looks at corn ear 'tip back' and why it's important for growers to have a sound understanding of physiology and how it can impact their crop.
Every summer, Hooker gets questions from frustrated growers who see kernel abortion at the tip of ears in crops they believed were carrying huge yield potential as the crop moved through the V6 to V10 growth stages - when yield is determined by the plant. When those top kernels are aborted, Hooker says, the plant is telling growers that it's under stress, possibly weather, moisture, nutrient-related, and can't fill the tip.
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