Purdue University Department of Agronomy

Corny News Network

Originally published May 2000, Updated May 2008
URL: http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GerminationGallery.html


Visible Indicators of Germination in Corn

R.L. (Bob) Nielsen
Agronomy Dept., Purdue Univ.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Email address: rnielsen at purdue.edu
 

The three visible indicators of successful germination in corn are the appearances of the 1) radicle root, 2) plumule and 3) lateral seminal roots. These images illustrate these events for corn planted the morning of 7 May 2007. Soil temperatures averaged 73F for the next 5 days and corn emerged very quickly.

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Image #1.
Kernel appearance 12 hrs after planting.
Image #2.
Seedling appearance 36 hrs (34 GDD) after planting.

Image #3.
Seedling appearance 36 hrs (34 GDD) after planting.
Image #4.
Seedling appearance 60 hrs (58 GDD) after planting.

Image #5.
Seedling appearance 60 hrs (58 GDD) after planting.
Image #6.
Seedling appearance 72 hrs (67 GDD) after planting.

Image #7.
Seedling appearance 82 hrs (79 GDD) after planting.
Image #8.
Seedling appearance 105 hrs (103 GDD) after planting.

Image #9.
Seedling emergence 5 days (114 GDD) after planting.
Image #10.
Seedling emergence 5 days (114 GDD) after planting.

Related References

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2008a. Germination Events in Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GerminationEvents.html. (URL accessed 5/7/08).

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2008b. The Emergence Process in Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at  http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/Emergence.html. (URL accessed 5/7/08).

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2008c. Requirements for Uniform Germination and Emergence of Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GermEmergReq.html. (URL accessed 5/7/08).