Overview
Greensnap is a relative rating of the stalk's ability to remain unbroken during high winds between V8 (eight leaf stage) and tasseling.
Many factors contribute to greensnap susceptibility. These include:Soil type and fertility: the darker and more highly productive soils and/or high fertility tend to increase the rate of plant growth. Scientists speculate that the faster the rate of growth, the more susceptible the plant is to green snap. Because the cells grow so quickly there is a window of time where the cell walls are brittle (before they can lignify and become durable/flexible). This brittle stage is when plants are vulnerable to greensnap.
Herbicides: Application of growth regulator herbicides (such as 2,4-D, etc.) prior to a period of rapid growth can increase stalk brittleness in the corn plant.
Wind: Soil type, fertility, herbicides and genetic makeup set the stage for high winds to snap the stalk.
Genetics: some genetic families are more or less likely to greensnap than others. We take these traits into account in our rating system.
Use the greensnap rating to compare hybrid to hybrid. It is not an indication of how susceptible your field is to greensnap.
Our rating scale
Our rating scale ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the best score. iCORN doesn't offer hybrids rating 5 or less on greensnap. Here's the definition of our ratings.
- Not adapted to greensnap-prone areas (flat, black, productive soils in the prairie). One or more of the combination factors listed above can lead to greensnap with these hybrids.
- Normally greensnap not a problem. Understand that using growth regulator herbicide with a 7-rated hybrid increases risk of greensnap.
- Expect to see little or no greensnap. Acceptable for planting in all areas. A combination of all the factors listed above may result in greensnap, however, most likely at lower levels.
- Will not snap at any time under any conditions. This is the mythical fence post your field sign hangs from. We may never see a 9.