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Tillering/suckering can occur in sweet corn, with “tillers” or suckers often developing at the base. These tillers/suckers are more prominent when corn is exposed to extremely favorable growing conditions or when the main stem has broken near the ground. The development of suckers is also variety dependent. Sweet corn transplanted into plastic mulch tends to develop large numbers of suckers due to the favorable growing environment. Certain diseases and insects may also cause tillering.

Excessive tillering.

(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Although suckers were commonly removed in the past, research has shown that they do not reduce yield and need not be removed. The effect of large numbers of suckers in the plasticulture sweet corn has not been fully researched, however.

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