How Do We Prepare for the 2022 Growing Season?
U.S. Drought Monitor map released April 7, 2022. |
There is a lot of concern among farmers about dry spring conditions as we head into the 2022 growing season. Significant areas of the western U.S. are encountering extreme to exceptional drought. In the Midwest, the southern tiers of Wisconsin counties and the northern 1-2 tiers of Illinois counties are abnormally dry or under moderate drought.
Figure 1 describes the 30 yr monthly average precipitation at the UW Agricultural Research Station in Arlington. Only 23.5 inches of precipitation was measured during 2021 compared to the 30-yr annual average of 35.2 inches. We typically get most of our precipitation during April, May and June. The variability (risk) of precipitation patterns during April to June is quite high ranging from 3.8 to 5.4 inches (standard deviation= + 1.9 to 2.7 inches). Monthly precipitation amounts can range from 1.8 to 7.9 inches of precipitation during April, May and June.
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation at the UW-ARS in Arlington. Data were derived from the Midwest Regional Climatological Center. Error bars are the standard deviation of the 30 yr monthly average. |
During 2021, monthly precipitation was outside of the error bars in Figure 1 only during April and November. Drier conditions during April allowed for early planting, while drier grain moisture was observed at harvest. The month that was average for precipitation was August which is the grain-filling period for corn. No 2021 precipitation monthly average was above the 30 yr monthly average. So even though precipitation was one of the lowest on record, the distribution was adequate for near-record grain yields.
Some of the current drought conditions described by the U.S. Drought Monitor for Wisconsin and Illinois are a holdover from the 2021 season. Since January 2022, the amount of precipitation measured at Arlington is average. Soil profile water content is likely lower than normal.Â
How Do We Prepare for the 2022 Growing Season?
The short answer is that you “manage for the average.” Don’t change things too much unless you have been considering and preparing changes in your management style for some time. The weather during 2022 could be cooler/warmer and/or drier/wetter than normal.
Again, I would “manage for the average” during 2022. No one can predict the weather. If you are convinced that the weather is going to be drier than normal, then I would consider the following:
- Select a hybrid that is bio-engineered to include drought “tolerant” transgenes. Be wary of hybrids traditionally bred for drought “resistant” traits.
- Use hybrids with the Bt-ECB bio-engineered trait. Stalk integrity will be important for water molecule movement within the plant and will likely increase standability at harvest. Often mycotoxin issues are more often observed in drought stressed years because of increased corn borer activity.
- Select a hybrid that is shorter-season than typical for your field. You will give up yield compared to a full-season hybrid, but the the shorter-season hybrid will go through pollination earlier when soil profile water might be adequate to ensure pollination.
- Plant early. Planting corn early has the same effect as selecting a shorter-season hybrid. Plants will go through the pollination phase earlier when soil profile water content is greater.
- Lower plant population. Our data shows that grain yield is not affected by plant population during a drought year. By lowering your plant population you capture some return on investment by lowering seed cost.
- Rotate your crops. Rotated corn grain yield during a drought year is increased (25 to 30%) more than continuous corn.Â
- Use no-tillage. Residue on the soil surface acts as a mulch and a boundary layer for evaporation from the soil surface.
- Control weeds. Weeds will compete with corn for water resources.
- Do not over-apply nitrogen. Apply at MRTN rates. Nitrogen increases corn leaf area thereby increasing the potential amount of surface area and cooling load that the plant requires for transpiration.
Some of these management decision changes have the potential to leave yield in the field during a normal weather year. As we saw during 2021, some of these decisions are about timing of precipitation events. I remember the 2005 and 2012 when weather conditions were dry through mid-July. Adequate rains came in mid-July and soils that had higher soil water content allowed plants to escape drought effects on pollination. For some, early planting date and shorter-season hybrids did not work and fields were abandoned.
Joe Lauer
University of Wisconsin
Frost and Cold Temperature Damage to Small Soybeans
Frost and Cold Temperature Damage to Small Soybeans
- Soybeans respond differently to frost compared to corn because the growing point is exposed to weather as soon as the cotyledons emerge.
- Understanding the effects of weather conditions on soybean at different growth stages can help determine the best management options.
Soybeans vs. Corn
Soybeans are more susceptible than corn to frost and cold temperatures. The growing point for corn remains below ground until corn reaches about V5 (5 visible leaf collars) growth stage. Comparatively, the growing point for soybean is above ground and exposed to the elements as soon as the cotyledons emerge.
If the main growing point (also called the apical meristem) is damaged, soybeans have a greater ability to recover than corn. Soybean plants can produce new growth auxiliary buds found at each node. When this regrowth occurs from the node where the cotyledons or unifoliate leaves were attached, it has been referred to as psi syndrome due to the shape.
Will the Soybean Plant Make It?
Frost damage to soybean plants can occur when temperatures range between 28 to 32 °F. Temperatures of 29 to 30 °F may be tolerated for short periods of time when soybeans are in the VE (emergence) to VC (unrolled unifoliate leaves) growth stages. Several days of cool temperatures can harden a plant, and when this occurs, temperatures of 28 °F may be tolerated. Complete death (buds, stems, and leaves) is not expected until temperatures remain at 28 °F for an extended period of time for sensitive plants. Soybeans in the VC stage are slightly more frost tolerant compared to soybeans in the V1(first-trifoliate) and V2 (second- trifoliate) growth stages. Soybeans with emerged trifoliate leaves (V1 and V2 growth stages) become more susceptible to temperatures below 32 °F for any extended time.
Patience is needed to determine if an individual soybean plant is likely to survive a frost. It helps to wait a few days before evaluating the potential for new growth at the auxiliary buds. In Figure 1, the plant on the left has been injured by frost for 24 hours and may have tissue death below the cotyledonary node. The plant on the right was injured by frost, but only down to the area above the cotyledonary node, allowing for regrowth from the auxiliary buds at that node. The growth from those auxiliary buds will be similar to that of the original plant had it not been damaged by frost. The odds of the injured plant on the right producing a respectable yield potential are very good.
Figure 1. Examples of frost damage to soybeans. Plants with severe frost damage that begins below the cotyledonary bud (left) may have tissue death. If regrowth at the cotyledonary node is seen (right), plants may contribute to yield.
Will the Soybean Plant Make It?
Replanting a field of frost-damaged soybeans demands more consideration since soybeans are more susceptible than corn to frost and cold temperatures. However, soybeans can tolerate stand reductions fairly well. Often, if a soybean stand is evenly distributed, replanting is not recommended unless populations are less than 100,000 plants per acre. As the season progresses, vigilant scouting should continue for seedling blights and environmental damage in soybean fields, especially those damaged by frost.
There are many resources available addressing soybean early growth and survival. Additional information on evaluating soybean early growth and survival can be found in the video blog developed by Extension Specialist Shawn Conley at http://ipcm.wisc.edu/blog/2014/05/new-video- soybean-emergence-and-germination-common-issues/.
Sources:Â Berglund, D.R. 2004. Spring frost damage to crops could be a problem. News. North Dakota State University. www.ext.nodak.edu. 120601023004
For additional agronomic information, please contact your local seed representative. Developed in partnership with Technology Development & Agronomy by Monsanto.
Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. ©2017 Monsanto Company.120601023004. 051215SEK
