corn stunt

noun

: a serious disease of corn that is characterized by stunted growth, poorly developed ears, and yellowish or reddish discoloration of the leaves

Note: Corn stunt typically occurs from the southern U.S. to South America. It is caused by a spiroplasma (Spiroplasma kunkelii) transmitted by leafhoppers (especially Dalbulus maidis).

Some corn stunt losses may have been averted this year by a strategy in which farmers plant earlier—during March, mostly—because heat seems to be linked to increased populations of the disease-carrying leafhopper.

—Dennis Pollock, Fresno Bee, 26 July 2002

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

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