Most dent corn hybrids set one harvestable ear per plant. However, many more potential ears are initiated. In fact, one ear shoot is initiated at each stalk node of the plant except the upper six or seven. For more information, see http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/EarSize.html.
For more information on this and other topics related to corn production, contact your state extension corn specialist or your local extension educator/agent.
Here is the link to the corn extension specialists: state extension corn specialists.
