Most university agronomists prefer the leaf collar method in determining the stage of development of a corn plant. It is important that growers understand how to identify the various corn growth stages as many products applied to corn especially fungicides have a direct relationship between timing of application of a fungicide and the stage of crop development. When determining the growth stage of corn using the leaf collar method, count only leaves with visible leaf collars (see photo). The off color green band at the base of the leaf near the stem of the plant is the leaf collar. For example if a plant has three visible leaf collars, then it is described as the V3 leaf stage or vegetative 3 stage.
