Q. Every year my sweet corn stalks grow 7 or 8 feet tall and have a deep green color, but they get few ears and the ears that do form are small and not properly filled out with kernels. What can I do?

- B.V., Placerville, CA

A. "If the plants look healthy and are growing well, then you're giving them the right cultural conditions. Each stalk will only develop two ears, and the kernels won't fill out unless they're pollinated. Corn is wind-pollinated so be sure to plant your corn in blocks rather than in long rows -- that way, no matter which way the breeze blows, it will carry some pollen to neighboring plants.

Each silk is connected to a single kernel on the cob. When the tassels are mature they will produce tiny dust-like yellow pollen. A pollen grain must touch each individual silk and be transported down to the immature seed on the cob. When your corn tassels are ripe and begin to shed pollen, you can help the process along by gently shaking each stalk, to help the pollen drop down to the silks. Or, you can break off a tassel and brush it against the silk of each ear on each stalk. It's time-consuming, but for small plantings it can dramatically increase pollination."

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Q. Several years ago my corn developed big, black, greasy-looking growths on the ears, which I was told was the fungal disease corn smut. I have no idea where it came from, although I do live in a very rural area with much acreage in silage corn. I carefully removed the smut-covered ears, placed them in a plastic bag and discarded them without disturbing the spores. But despite this care, every year it returns. I have even moved the corn patch to a different area of the yard. Can you recommend a way of ridding myself of this fungus?

- B.G., Riner, VA

A. "Corn smut is caused by the fungus Ustilago zeae. The fungal spores can remain in the soil 2 or 3 years, and spores can be wind-blown long distances. Infection occurs in the seedling stage at soil temperatures of 70F to 86F degrees.

The best ways to control this problem is to stop planting corn for 3 or 4 years in lightly infested fields, or try planting resistant varieties. Another method to "outwit" the fungus is to plant your corn seed shallowly to promote rapid germination, or try pre-germinating your seed by placing between two damp paper towels. If you can keep the seedbed moist the first 4 weeks after planting, you may be able to discourage fungal growth.

Some studies have shown that a "living mulch" of white clover sown between the corn rows can help suppress the corn smut fungus. However, note that you may need to water the planting more often, as the clover will compete with the corn for water."

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