corn stunt

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