Corn Has Yellow Stripes on the Leaves

Iron

• Corn grown in soil containing chalk or calcium carbonate, can be deficient in iron, which results in inadequate amounts of chlorophyll being produced in the leaves. This results in stunted plants and the appearance of yellow or white stripes between the midrib and the veins. Symptoms are worse when the surface soil remains moist and cool, like it does when plants are watered with sprinklers. Soil with a pH above 7.5 has less available iron than soil with a lower pH. Severe iron deficiency is fatal to corn. The best way to treat iron deficiency is to improve the condition of the soil by adding compost or manure.

Sulfur

• A lack of sulfur can cause white or yellow stripes to appear between the leaf veins of corn leaves. Other symptoms include stunted plants and yellow leaves. According to Jim Gerwing, extension soils specialist with South Dakota State University, stripes caused by sulfur deficiency occur on the entire plant, while stripes from zinc deficiency usually occur on the third and fourth leaf. Sulfur deficiency usually happens with sandy soil, especially after a wet winter. During the growing season, as the soil warms, more sulfur becomes available to plants as microbes break down organic matter. However, if your soil continues to suffer from a lack of sulfur, you can apply ammonium sulfate or liquid ammonium thiosulfate before planting.

Magnesium

• Magnesium deficiencies cause yellow streaks or stripes to appear between the veins of lower leaves. Eventually, the leaves turn reddish purple and the tips and edges may even die. In addition, the height of the corn will be uneven. This deficiency in the soil is usually related to a lack of dolomitic limestone. To correct, add magnesium to the soil or spray leaves with magnesium sulfate to supply this nutrient without burning the leaves.

Other

• Other nutritional deficiencies that cause the appearance of yellow stripes on the leaves are manganese and boron. Manganese deficiency is rare in corn, but it does happen, especially when improper liming causes a very high soil pH. Young leaves are affected first, turning pale between the veins. In addition, the stalks look stunted. Correct the soil by placing a band of acid-forming fertilizer and 3 to 5 pounds of manganese per acre near the corn row. Boron deficiencies occur more often in sandy soil, because boron quickly leaches out of sandy soil when it's watered. Symptoms of boron deficiency include long, white or yellow stripes on the leaves, poor kernel development and short, bent cobs. Sweet corn needs amounts of boron between 6 to 40 parts per million.