Call them suckers, call them tillers. Whatever you call them, Dave Nanda says they are a normal part of corn plant development.

“It’s not unusual to find them, especially earlier in the growing season,” says Nanda, director of genetics for Seed Genetics Direct, sponsor of Corn Watch ’22. “You’re likely to find tillering if growing conditions are favorable.”

Related: Dry weather affects nutrient uptake in corn

Early in the season, growing conditions for the Corn Watch ’22 field were favorable. At 35 days from planting, the crop was already past V5, with the growing point aboveground. Then an extensive drought set in, which finally moderated with rains at the end of July.

Previously, Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist, reported that indeed, tillering is a normal part of plant development. He concluded that it’s often seen when conditions are good, as noted. However, tillers can also develop if younger plants are damaged by hail, nipped by deer or injured in some other way.

Typically, tillers are neutral to yield. Usually, the main stalk takes over and develops normally, Nanda says. In fact, in some situations, tillers may act as a reserve, holding nutrients that can be used later by the main stalk.

In rare cases, such as if plants were tillering because the stand was very thin, tillers may produce ears that contribute to yield.

“It’s more something to be aware of and understand,” Nanda concludes.