Favorable weather conditions in some areas of western Kansas have resulted in purple coloration of corn plants. When purple coloration occurs later in the season on the leaf, stem, husk, silk, or anther tissues, this can be related to the production and accumulation of a pigment called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is derived from another pigment, “anthocyanidin,” that is comprised of a sugar-like molecule. The accumulation of anthocyanin occurs when the plant is not capable of translocating sugars to different part of the plant.
Source (leaves): Sink (grains) Imbalance Issue
The late-season purple coloration phenomenon takes place when photosynthetically active tissues of the plants are acting as sources of sugars, while the sinks (ears – when present) are not utilizing sugars as fast as the sugars are being produced. When this happens, the flow of sugars within the plants is disrupted and the sugars can accumulate in various areas of the plants, causing an unusual purple coloration. This could be a result of several different factors:
Regardless of the specific factor that causes anthocyanin accumulation, the production of the purple coloration is associated with some kind of restriction in the utilization of carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis.
Purple coloration can occur on the stems or leaves (Figure 1). Purple coloration can also be seen in the reproductive structures such as husk, silk, and anther tissues (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Purple color on stem and leaves of corn plants during the vegetative period (five-leaf stage), due to buildup of anthocyanin. Photo by Ignacio Ciampitti, K-State Research and Extension.
Figure 2. Purple color on leaves of corn plants during the reproductive period. Photo by Ignacio Ciampitti, K-State Research and Extension.
With corn now nearing physiological maturity (black layer), the crop is advancing into the grain-fill period and reaching the end of its life cycle. As this process continues, water and nitrogen uptake by the roots will be decreasing until the end of the season. The root system has a very high demand for sugars at its peak of activity. As it decreases in physiological activity, sugars may accumulate in the lower sections of the stem (Figures 3 and 4).
Purple coloration problems have also been observed in situations with multiple ears, without indication of problems in ear size or grain set, and in plants located near field borders with sufficient soil-air resources. This indicates that the plant has an imbalance between sugar accumulation and allocation (Figure 4).
Figure 3. Darker purple color on the lower stem section of corn plants, due to buildup of anthocyanin.
Figure 4. Purple color on the lower section of the stem on plants around milk stage (R3, reproductive stage) with the presence of multiple ears. Photo by Ignacio Ciampitti, K-State Research and Extension.
In summary, purpling is an indication of a surplus of photosynthetic sugars, generally promoted by an imbalance between source:sink (e.g., plant sugars are an excess of what is needed either due to poor kernel set or especially favorable conditions).
Ignacio Ciampitti, Crop Production and Cropping Systems Specialist
ciampitti@ksu.edu
Lucas Haag, Northwest Area Agronomist – Colby
lhaag@ksu.edu
Tags: corn