Silks emerge from kernels at the tip of the ear last and are least likely to be fertilized if the plant is under stress. Kernels at the tip may abort following fertilization if the plant becomes stressed during grain fill.

​The corn plant mesocotyl, the structure between the corn seed and the crown, is responsible for pushing the coleoptile, to the soil surface. The mesocotyl also serves as a temporary pipeline between the seed and the crown, until nodal roots begin development.

​​​​​​​In most years, there is little advantage to planting corn before soil temperatures consistently rise to 50 degrees or higher. Under certain conditions, planting too early can even have a yield limiting effect. Corn emergence and early season development can be projected using the following information.