Frequently N.C. Cooperative Extension is sought to assist by examining problem areas within field crop production. Often, plants do not always provide a single distinct, common diagnostic symptom or may have symptoms for multiple problems within one site. Thus soil samples, nematode samples, and tissue samples are often submitted to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Agronomic Division for analysis to confirm or identify the problem. In some cases, plant specimens are also sent to the NCSU Plant Disease & Insect Clinic for disease diagnosis. The point is that visual symptoms alone do not always provide strong evidence for proper diagnosis, especially when there are multiple causes.

Uneven growth and corn plants with yellow appearance

Small pale green to yellow corn plant

As example, the corn field image (left) shows corn plants with dark, green normal appearance along with smaller, pale green to yellow plants within the same row. Closer examination reveals a generally pale green to yellow plant, slight interveinal chlorosis and bottom leaves with purplish margin or necrotic edges. (right)

Corn plants with interveinal chlorosis, purple leaf margins and necrosis on bottom leaves

Slightly further plants show similar symptoms as described previously but with a greater degree of yellowing. Also within this area, interveinal chlorosis is common, plants growth is uneven, and the plant stem and some leaves have margin that show slight necrosis and purplish appearance (Right). Root growth for all areas examined thus far is fair to good.

Examination of plant within only a few rows further reveals plants that have all of the above symptoms but plant size is significantly smaller. This abrupt change in plant size occurs in a somewhat isolated area. Root growth of plants within this small area is poor. The roots are small and shallow. (Bottom right)

Very small pale green to yellow corn plants with purple margins on older leaf blades

In this particular example, it is suspected that low soil nitrogen is a problem for all of this field. However, low N is not responsible for the leaves with both a purple leaf margin and interveinal chlorosis. Low soil pH is the probable cause of these symptoms. The general yellow appearance of many plants is an indication of low sulfur within the plant. Plants with slight yellowing and interveinal chlorosis indicate potential manganese deficiency. Thus, the potential causes of all plant symptoms within this field have potentially been explained except for the dramatically smaller plants. Since the plants within this area show symptoms related to all of these deficiencies in addition to poor root development, it is suspected that a nematode problems exists within this area.

In this particular case, all visual symptoms were confirmed by lab results from soil and nematode samples. Excessive rainfall led to leaching of nitrogen and sulfur. The soil pH was very low (ranged from soil pH of 4.5-4.9 rather than a desirable range of soil pH 6.0-6.2) and the nematode stubby root was common. Furthermore, the small isolated area with much smaller plants is the result of the presence of the Sting nematode.

This example demonstrates that multiple problems often exists even within a small area. Correcting for only one problem will not remedy the undesirable poor growth. Regrettably, in this case, even correcting all nutrient deficiencies is not likely to have a huge impact upon growth due to the low soil pH and nematode problems that will very likely severely limit plant growth. (Proper soil pH and nematode management should be addressed prior to planting field crops).

The plant-soil relationship is a complex issue. The visual symptom exhibited by the plants often provide some indication of a problem but sometimes multiple problems may exists. Thus, prior to any corrective action, one should positively identify the problem(s). If assistance is needed, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension county center.

Email the author :  mike_carroll@ncsu.edu