Comparing plant health in different corn hybrids

Flown by John Scott, Digital Agriculture Extension Coordinator, Purdue Extension

The red streak in the middle of this field near the Ivy Tech Community College site in Lafayette indicates a problem with a certain hybrid. This indicates a need for further investigation on the ground.

Image of a corn hybrids plant, red streak in the middle of this field indicates
Image of two corn hybrid plantation, the on the left indicates health problems
A closer view shows a clear difference in plant health between the problem hybrid (left) and the healthy hybrid (right).
Because a problem was detected from the air, an in-field observation led to the discovery of grey leaf spot (GLS) in the problem hybrid, which is a fungal disease.
Image of corn plants (on a field) with brown leaves indicating that they are sick
Image of corn plants (on a field)
Ear size was similar between hybrids but those with GLS were much closer to physiological maturity. The seed fill window was reduced, which may later result in lower yields.
Image of a corn on a cob showing severe sickness
Image of a corn on a cob showing minor sickness

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