date:May 30, 2012
em for 'life support.'
The V3 developmental stage -- when the plants have 3 leaf collars showing -- is a big one when it comes to root development. That's when the seed starts to shift from in-kernel energy to the nodal roots for nutrients to fuel growth. If something's limited those roots' development potential, it can take what looks like a healthy, uniform crop and sink it fast, Nielsen says.
Corn younger than V3, still relying on its kernel reserves, can look pretty darn good and uniform.