Wet conditions this spring have caused shallow rooted corn in some areas of Iowa. In southwest Iowa as much as 90% of the root mass has been reported to be in the top 2 to 4 inches of the soil and deep penetrating roots have also had poor establishment. Shallow roots can cause many problems later in the season. Corn may be prone to root lodging and may not be able to pull in the nutrients that a growing plant needs. If dry conditions continue, shallow rooted corn may also show symptoms of drought stress. For more information, check out the AgSpotlight – Drought Stress in Shallow Rooted Corn