| As we approach the end of July, much of our corn and some of our soybean acres are in the latter portion of their respective reproductive growth stages. As we progress toward physiological maturity, lets revisit irrigation termination decisions for these two crops. |
| Week 4: Magnesium |
| In this installment in our series on nutrient deficiencies in corn and soybean, this week we take quick look at magnesium: symptomology, sources, and common causes. |
Photo credit: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Shekoofa’s lab
Irrigation timing: Corn & soybean
As we head into the second week of June, many growers are understandably concerned about potential yield loss due to drought stress. In this blog post our Extension Corn and Soybean Specialist, Dr. Jake McNeal and I have discussed irrigation strategies for both corn and soybean.
Understanding the relationship between crops and their environment is critical for effective irrigation management. Crop water use and demand varies as a function of growth stage and weather conditions. Furthermore, the capacity of a soil to hold and deliver water to plant roots (soil water–holding capacity) varies widely across different soil textures.
Also, we want to emphasis that there is a distinct physiological difference between heat stress and drought stress, especially in corn. Even in the presence of adequate soil water, corn leaves will often curl inward from the leaf margins during extended periods of high temperatures. Many refer to this as “pineapple leaves” or a “pineapple crop”. Furthermore, it is very difficult to discern between the two without utilizing a soil water sensor in your crop.
Corn-The Mid-South region of the U.S. receives sufficient annual rainfall to grow corn without irrigation in most years. However, irrigation is common in corn production because rainfall is not always distributed adequately throughout the growing season for the crop, especially during critical reproductive periods. Therefore, not all rainfall can be considered effective. Continue reading
| Week 3: Potassium |
| In the third installment in our series on nutrient deficiencies in corn and soybean, this week we take quick look at potassium: symptomology, sources, and common causes. |
| Week 2: Phosphorus |
| In the second installment in our series on nutrient deficiencies in corn and soybean, this week we take quick look at phosphorus: symptomology, sources, and common causes. |
Excessive rainfall over the weekend (5/12 and 5/13) in the North Western river counties has resulted in several calls this week concerning flooding and standing water in corn and to a lesser extent in soybean. Crop response will depend on the length of time the crop remains submerged and varies between corn and soybean. With rain still in the forecast for the next few days, here are a few agronomic considerations to be aware of. Continue reading
This is the first of several installments dealing with commonly observed nutrient deficiencies in corn and soybean. Each week, a new macro or micro nutrient will be posted and discussed. The main objective of this series will be to discuss for each nutrient: (1) visual symptomology of deficiency, (2) plant and leaf tissue deficiency levels, (3) common causes of deficiency, and (4) in-season corrective measures. Continue reading
Soybean replanting decisions are almost always a tough call and a subjective decision. In 2023, favorable planting conditions in late March and early April have resulted in quite a few acres being planted. As we head into the month of May, let’s take a look at some objective factors that can help inform replant decisions. Continue reading