Corn School: The tales tillers tell

When out walking corn fields, growers will often come across what look like branches off of the main stalk of the plants. Tillers can be found on many grass plants, and while being an essential part of other crops, producers often do not know what to make of seeing them in their corn crop.
In this Corn School, Aidan Filipchuk of PRIDE Seeds explains that tillers can be a sign of ideal growing conditions. A lot of sunlight and an abundance of nutrients is one of three potential causes. Another source of tillers, otherwise known as suckers, is early stress in the corn. Wind, hail, insects, or being run over by the sprayer, can all cause stress to the emerging plants.
The third reason is the hybrid variety that was planted, as some varieties or more likely to tiller than others. The last reason is one farmers can do something about: N rates and population density.
Filipchuk says that tillers typically are not a cause for concern, especially if a producer is only seeing one per plant. Three or four tillers per plant may mean that it is time to start considering some management decisions, as they could be a sign of excess nitrogen, or that planting populations are not at the target goal, so the corn has more space to grow those tillers.
Getting into the field and doing stand counts is very important between the stages of V3 and V6. This will allow growers to know if planters or seeders were dialled in, and help to make critical management decisions in this and future growing seasons.
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