Spencer, IA: (May 23, 2012) - There is a new worry for corn growers in dry areas of the Upper Midwest. It is called Rootless Corn Syndrome, a condition where a primary support mechanism, the nodal roots, for the young corn plants don’t develop properly.
 
Randy Kool, an agronomist for Syngenta, explains.
 

 
Kool says corn plants may lose color and appear to be laying on the ground, especially following strong winds or thunderstorms. The affected plants lack most or all of their nodal roots, according to Kool.  He says it is important for growers to scout their fields.
 

 
That’s Randy Kool with Syngenta. The nodal roots provide the majority of water and nutrients to the corn plant in the early stage of development.