Striped corn is prevalent many seasons. Deficiencies of several nutrients, sulfur, manganese, zinc, and magnesium, can cause striping symptoms to appear, says Purdue Extension Soil Fertility Specialist Jim Camberato in this video.
There are subtle differences in how these deficiencies appear and often they cannot be differentiated by sight alone. Plant and soil sampling and analysis are the best tools for identifying the nutrient(s) that are deficient, Camberato says. If the deficiency is identified early enough, some or all of the potential reduction in yield can be overcome with additional fertilizer applied in the current growing season. Usually these deficiencies will occur in subsequent years so a clear diagnosis can allow one to modify their fertility program to avoid these deficiencies in the future.
