Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Vegetable > Sweet corn > Poor kernel fill
Sweet corn > Ear > Poor kernel fill
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Poor Pollination
- Reduced kernel fill can range from only a few open areas where kernels are missing to almost the entire cob void of kernels reduced kernel fill
- Common after periods of extreme heat or in gardens with too few plants for cross pollination
- More information on Poor Pollination
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Northern and Western Corn Rootworm
Diabrotica barberi and Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
- Adult corn rootworm beetles feed on corn silk which can reduce the number of kernels on the cob
- In severe cases, very few kernels will be produced on the cob
- Larvae feed on roots of corn, which can cause plant to fall over, or "lodge"
- Northern corn rootworm adults are about 3/16th inch long and pale green; western corn rootworm adults are about 5/16 inch long, yellow to green in color with three black stripes running along the back of the beetle
- More information on Northern and Western Corn Rootworm
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Virus
Dwarf mosaic and maize chlorotic dwarf
- Leaves have light and dark green mottling or streaks
- Infected plants are stunted and may produce many tillers
- Plants may not produce an ear, or ear is poorly developed
- More information on Virus
