Researchers examined 52 different varieties of corn, measuring the variation in the brace roots contribution to plant anchorage. They also quantified nine plant traits, including brace root thickness ...

Corn brace roots help keep the plant upright and also help with nutrient, water and gas exchange. Shallow planted corn utilizes brace roots to prevent the corn from lodging.

Nodal, brace and prop roots often occur during normal plant development. For example, corn produces prop roots which are visible at the base of the corn stalk.

Rains are needed to stimulate nodal root development. Pro Farmer Editor Chip Flory last week noted that some "weird" diseases were popping up in the Corn Belt, with one of those being rootless ...