Bigger and taller isn’t always better – at least when it comes to corn. Height can make corn plants susceptible to damage by wind and rain. And stalks thick enough to buffet difficult weather doesn’t decompose quickly in the soil between seasons.
In future, thanks to new breeding technology, it’s likely you’ll begin to see corn that’s a foot or two shorter. It’s easier to farmers to harvest, and researchers hope it yields more in terms of greater plant density per field. So in this case at least, smaller really can be better. Click here to read more.