You can’t construct a strong building on a weak foundation, and you can’t grow a great corn crop on a weak root system. From freezing temperatures to voracious underground pests and other threats, ...

For centuries, corn growers have focused almost entirely on what happens above ground in terms of plant health and yield. Today, scientists like Jim Schwartz are looking below ground – in the root ...

It was bound to happen, and it's now beginning to appear in quite a few fields. Corn that was planted into somewhat tough conditions, and received continued rainfall after planting, is showing the ...

The 2021 crop year has been quite variable. A dry winter/spring followed by periods of excess rain and dry hot weather has caused considerable plant stress. Corn plants typically give us many ...

For decades, his research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences has been uncovering how roots play a critical role in plant development and survival. "Corn is no exception, and it turns out ...

Bacteria isolated from the roots of a corn plant and endowed with an unwavering ability to break the bonds between two nitrogen atoms could help minimize the use of fertilizer in farming, according to ...

Unexpected challenges call for increased options when it comes to disease management in corn fields. To help growers stay ...

A unique confluence of archeology, molecular genetics and serendipity guided a collaboration of Mexican and Penn State researchers to a deeper understanding of how modern corn was domesticated from ...