The following chart briefly reviews the stages of corn growth from planting through to tassel. Crop/Corn Heat Units (CHUs) and days after planting represent normal corn growth based on favorable temperature and moisture. Cooler temperatures can slow growth while warmer temperatures can increase growth rate and reduce time between leaf stages. There are a few methods to stage corn, which can cause confusion. In industry, the “V” stages of corn most often refer to the number of leaf collars. Staging recommendations for Syngenta Canada herbicides in corn follow the leaf-over method. We provide both the leaf collar and leaf over stage comparison in this chart.

Stage	Brief Description	CHUs After Planting	Days After Planting	Plant Height (Inches)
Germination	Kernel absorbs 30% weight in water Radicle & coleoptile emerge & elongate Seminal roots start to develop		4 - 8
VE - Emergence	Coleoptile and mesocotyl elongates Coleoptile reaches soil surface First leaf emerges and starts to unfurl	180	8 - 12
V1 - 2 Leaf Over	1st collared leaf with a round tip Growing point ¾ to 1" below soil surface First set of nodal roots developing	330	13 - 17	2 - 3
V4 - 6 Leaf Over	4 collared leaves Number of kernel rows being determined Nodal roots taking over the seminal root system	630	28 - 32	6 - 10
V6 - 8 Leaf Over	Growing at or just above soil surface Number of kernel rows around are set (V5) Ear shoots and tillers may be visible New collared leaf every 4 to 5 days Lower leaves may no longer be visible (dried up)	780	38 - 42	15 - 24
V8 - 10 Leaf Over	Beginning of rapid stalk internode elongation Tassel is about to begin development  Rapid root development	930	48 - 52	varies
V12 - 14 Leaf Over	Number of kernels per row being determined between V12 and V17 Rapid stalk elongation continues Steady increase in nutrient and dry weight accumulation (starting from V10) New leaf stage every 2 to 3 days (starting from V10)	1,170	60 - 64	varies
VT - Tassel Emergence	Tassel extends above last leaf Last branch of the tassel is visible Full plant height is attained Pollen shed begins in 1 to 2 days About 2 to 3 days from silk emergence (R1)	1,310	75 - 84	varies

 



































































​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Source – Syngenta Seeds, OMAFRA Agronomy Guide for Field Crops- Corn Development- Staging Corn Plants

Always read and follow label directions. NK^® is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2022 Syngenta.