Drought & Row Crop Management

his Web site offers a compilation of drought-related row crop management information written by crop experts from throughout the U.S. Corn Belt. The articles are organized by subject area. You can either scroll down the page to locate an area of interest or click on the list below to quickly "jump" to the topic area.

Assessing crop damage
Irrigation management
Planting, germination, emergence, stand establishment
Pollination, flowering
Kernel set, grain filling, maturation
Harvest and storage issues
Crop insurance issues
Utilizing drought-stressed crops
Disease & mycotoxin management
Insect management
Weed management
Soil fertility, plant nutrients
Soil management

Because this and the other drought-related crops pages may be updated frequently during times of drought, please "refresh" or "reload" your Web browser to force an update to the most current version.

When in doubt about the applicability of the information to your geographic area of the country, please contact the author(s) of the articles or consult with your own Univ Extension specialists.

These links were last verified July 2012. The dates in parentheses following the publication titles refer to the year of publication. Please send comments or dead link alerts to R.L. (Bob) Nielsen (rnielsen at purdue.edu).

Combine Settings for Drought (2012): Iowa State Univ
Cover Crops Following the Summer 2012 Drought (2012): Purdue Univ.
Management options for drought-stressed soybeans (2012): Kansas State Univ
Break-even Soybean and Corn Harvesting Yields (2007): North Carolina State Univ
Drought (2011): Univ of Wisconsin
Managing After Drought (2012): Univ of Illinois
Managing Drought Stressed Corn (1999): Pennsylvania State Univ
Growing Season Characteristics and Requirements in the Corn Belt (NCH-40): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Effects of Drought Stress on Corn Production (2002): South Dakota State Univ
Effects of Drought Stress on Soybean Production (2002): South Dakota State Univ
Weather Stress in the Corn Crop (NCH-18): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Irrigation Management for Corn (G1850): Univ of Nebraska
Scheduling the Last Irrigation (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Irrigation Management in Times of Drought (2012): Michigan State Univ / Purdue Univ
Soil Moisture Conditions and Crop Water Use (2012): Iowa State Univ
Tips for Irrigating in Extreme Hot, Humid Conditions (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Irrigation capacity for extreme drought conditions (2012): Kansas State Univ
Answers to common questions about irrigating soybeans (2012): Michigan State Univ
Drought irrigation management (2012): Michigan State Univ

Early Drought Stress on Timely Planted Soybean (2012): Purdue Univ.
Assessing Soybean for Drought Stress (2012): Purdue Univ
Opportunities to Assess Yield Potential of Drought-Stressed Corn (2012): Purdue Univ
Estimating Yields of Stressed Corn (2012): Univ of Illinois
The effects of high heat and drought on corn (2012): Kansas State Univ
Soybean Potential in Drought Conditions (2012): Iowa State Univ
Aridity Index, a Guide to Rain and Temperature Impact on Corn (2011): Iowa State Univ
Assessing drought impacts on corn (2011): Pennsylvania State Univ
Assessing drought stress effects on corn yield (2007): Michigan State Univ
Assessing Effects of Drought on Corn Grain Yield? (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Assessing the Impact of Drought on Pollination in Corn (2007): Ohio State Univ
Corn and “a Big Long Heat Wave on the Way” (2011): Iowa State Univ
Determining the Value of Drought Stressed Corn: Univ of Maryland
Drought and Heat Stress Affecting Corn Yield Potential (2007): Ohio State Univ
Drought and Heat Stressing Corn (2007): Ohio State Univ
Early Season Water Deficit Stress on Soybeans (2012): Univ of Wisconsin
Effects of Drought on Soybeans: Oklahoma State Univ
Effects of early season dry weather on corn ear formation (2012): Ohio State Univ
Estimating Corn Grain Yield Prior to Harvest (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
High Temperatures and Crops (2011): Univ of Illinois
High temperatures could hurt corn yields (2011): Univ of Kentucky
Hot & Dry; More of the Same Not Good for Corn Yield (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Hot & Dry: Stress on the corn crop escalates (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Hot & Dry: Toll on Young Corn? (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Leaf loss in stressed corn (2011): Univ of Illinois
Potential for Corn Recovery from Drought Stress? (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Short Corn, Short Yields? (2012): Univ of Illinois
Signs of Drought Stress in Soybean (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Planting Soybean Into Moisture Stressed Soils (2012): Purdue Univ.
Planting wheat into dry soils (2012): Kansas State Univ.
Planting wheat following drought-stricken corn (2012): Michigan State Univ.
Be on the Alert for Floppy, Rootless Corn (2010): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Conditions Favorable for "Rootless, Floppy Corn" (2007): Ohio State Univ
Crop Germination and Emergence in Dry Soils (2007): Ohio State Univ
Dry Weather is Holding Back Soybean Seed Germination (2012): Ohio State Univ
Irrigation to aid germination (2012): Michigan State Univ
Planting wheat into dry soils (2011): Univ of Nebraska
Seed depth considerations for corn (2012): Purdue Univ
Soybean planting and dry soils (2012): Univ of Illinois
Variable Emergence Due to Variable Seedbed Moisture (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Drought During Corn Pollination (2012): Purdue Univ.
Ear Shake Test to Determine Corn Pollination Progress (2012): Purdue Univ.
A Fast & Accurate Pregnancy Test for Corn (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Corn Pollination, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part I) (2012): Univ of Missouri
Corn Pollination, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part II) (2012): Univ of Missouri
How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Concerns about Drought as Corn Pollination Begins (2006): Univ of Wisconsin
Stress on Corn at Pollination (2012): Univ of Illinois
Drought Stress and Corn Pollination (2012): Univ of Kentucky
Hot, dry weather will impact pollination in corn (2012): Ohio State Univ.
How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination (2011): Univ of Nebraska
Next Big Hurdle: Pollen Shed and Silking (2012): Purdue Univ. (Indiana)
Silk Emergence (2010): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Tassel Emergence & Pollen Shed (2010): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Corn Kernel Abortion After Pollination in Corn (2012): Purdue Univ
Premature Ear Declination in Corn (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Grain Fill Stages in Corn (2008): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Effects of Stress During Grain Filling in Corn (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Kernel Set Scuttlebutt (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Short husks & exposed ears (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Stress During Grain Fill: A Harbinger of Stalk Health Problems (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
The "zipper" pattern of poor kernel set in corn (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Top leaf death or "dieback" in corn (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Yield Loss Potential During Grain Fill (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Aflatoxin and Grain Storage (2012: Iowa State Univ.
Combine Settings for Harvesting Drought-Stressed Corn (2012): Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l.
Drought Stressed Grain Harvest (2012): Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l.
Grain Storage Management to Minimize Mold and Mycotoxins (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Harvesting and Storing the 2012 Corn Crop (2012): Purdue Univ.
Recommendations for Storing Drought-stressed Corn (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Timely Harvest Important in Drought Stressed Corn (2012): Univ of Missouri

Aflatoxin: Crop Insurance (2012): Iowa State Univ.
Aflatoxin in Corn and Crop Insurance (2012): Univ of Missouri
Aflatoxin Testing: IL, IN, MI, & OH (2012): USDA - Risk Management Agency
Crop insurance: Follow the rules to ensure the best outcome (2012): Michigan State Univ
Crop insurance and drought-damaged crops (2012): Univ of Missouri
Crop Insurance During a Drought: IL, IN, MI, & OH (2012): USDA - Risk Management
Crop Insurance Implications of Aflatoxin in Corn (2012): Univ of Illinois
Crops salvaged from insured fields will reduce crop insurance payments (2012): Michigan State Univ
Insurance Coverage for Drought-Damaged Crops (2012): Iowa State Univ
Investigating Your Crop Insurance Policy in Front of a Drought (2012): Univ of Kentucky
Loss Adjustment Procedures for Aflatoxin (2012): USDA - Risk Management Agency
The 2012 Drought and Income Tax Deferral of Crop Insurance and/ or Disaster Payments (2012): Iowa State Univ
USDA Risk Management Agency: 2012 Drought Questions and Answers: USDA - Risk Management Agency

Alternatives for Drought-damaged Soybeans – Bean Crop or Forage (2012): Iowa State Univ
Alternatives for Drought-damaged Corn – Grain Crop or Forage (2012): Iowa State Univ
Determining the Value of Drought-Stressed Corn (2000): South Dakota State Univ.
Considerations when harvesting drought-stressed corn for grain (2012): Kansas State Univ
Handling Drought-Stressed Corn (2003): Univ of Wisconsin
Harvesting and Feeding Drought-Stressed Corn (FS-433): Univ of Maryland
The Use and Pricing of Drought-Stressed Corn (2008): Univ of Nebraska
Utilizing Drought-Damaged Corn (NCH-58): Purdue Univ (Indiana)

Spider Mites in Droughty Soybeans (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
No Surprise, Spider Mites Responding to Dry Conditions and Stressed Soybean (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Potential for spider mites, especially in southern Michigan (2012): Michigan State Univ
10 Tips for Managing Soybean Aphids (2012): Univ of Nebraska
I Hate Crying Wolf…… But Forewarned is Forearmed !! (2012): Univ of Kentucky
Stressed Corn, Pollination, and Rootworm Beetles (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Two-spotted Spider Mites on Soybean (2012): Ohio State Univ
Stressed Corn, Pollination, and Rootworm Beetles (2007): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Aphids in Corn and Sorghum (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Corn Leaf Aphid (from IPM-1): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Grasshoppers (from IPM-1): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Twospotted Spider Mites in Corn (from IPM-1): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Twospotted Spider Mites in Soybean (from IPM-1): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Spider mites, rain, and control (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Soybean Aphid (from IPM-1): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
A Guide to Grasshopper Control in Cropland (G-1627): Univ of Nebraska
Chinch Bug Management (G-806): Univ of Nebraska
Grasshopper Identification Guide for Cropland Grasshoppers Summer Feeding Species (E-1569): Univ of Nebraska
Spider Mite Management in Corn and Soybeans (G93-1167-A): Univ of Nebraska

Aflatoxin and Grain Storage (2012): Iowa State Univ.
Aflatoxin: Handling Corn (2012): Iowa State Univ

Aflatoxin: Testing Corn (2012): Iowa State Univ
Aflatoxins and Drought (2012): Texas A&M Univ (a Web site devoted to the topic)
Aflatoxin in Baled Corn (2010): Texas A&M Univ
Aflatoxins in Corn (2010): Univ of Missouri
Aflatoxin in corn: A potential concern in dry years (2012): Kansas State Univ
Application of Fungicides to Corn/Soybeans Under Drought Conditions is a Bad Idea (2012): Univ of Kentucky
Aspergillus Ear Rot (2011): Purdue Univ
Aspergillus Ear Rot and Aflatoxin Production (2012): Iowa State Univ
Check Cornfields for Aspergillus Ear Rot (2012): Univ of Illinois
Do Dry-Weather Crops Still Need Fungicides? (2012): Univ of Illinois
Drought May Result in Aflatoxin Contaminated Corn (2012): Univ of Missouri
Grain Storage Management to Minimize Mold and Mycotoxins (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Labs Certified by GIPSA for Alflatoxin Testing (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Managing Large Grain Bins for Potential Mycotoxin Contamination (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Preparing for Aspergillus Ear Rot in Corn Grain and Silage (2012): Purdue Univ
Row crop diseases in drought years (2008): North Dakota State Univ
Sampling and Analyzing Feed for Fungal (Mold) Toxins (Mycotoxins) (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Sampling for Aflatoxin (2006): Texas A&M Univ
Scouting Corn for Aspergillus Ear Rot (2012): Univ of Kentucky
Scout Fields for Aspergillus Ear Rot to Avoid Losses Due to Aflatoxin Contamination (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Spraying fungicides on drought-stressed corn (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Stress During Grain Fill: A Harbinger of Stalk Health Problems (2011): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Understanding Fungal (Mold) Toxins (Mycotoxins) (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Use of Feed Contaminated with Fungal (Mold Toxins (Mycotoxins) (2012): Univ of Nebraska

Does dry weather limit tillage options? (2002): Iowa State Univ
Managing soils under dry conditions (2003): Iowa State Univ

Are We Really Seeing Potassium-Deficient Corn and Soybean? (2012): Univ of Illinois
Corn response to side-dress nitrogen (2012): Ohio State Univ
Cover Crops Following the Summer 2012 Drought (2012): Purdue Univ.
Drought impacts on soil fertility management (2003): Iowa State Univ
Drought implications on fertilizer management (2012): Michigan State Univ
Dry Soil Conditions and Liquid Manure Application (2012): Iowa State Univ.
Dry weather induces potassium deficiency (1996): Iowa State Univ
Dry Year and Low Yields: How Much Nitrogen Credit Do I Have for Next Year? (2012): Univ of Illinois
Impact of the Drought on Next Years Fertilizer Rates (2012): Univ of Missouri
Nitrogen Fertility Management Issues Following Drought-damaged Crops (2012): Iowa State Univ.
Nutrient Management Related to Dry Soil Conditions and Poor Crop Yields (2012): Purdue Univ
Nutrient Removal with Drought-Stressed Corn (2012): Univ of Illinois
Phosphorus, Potassium and pH Management Issues Following Drought-damaged Crops (2012): Iowa State Univ.
Phosphorus and Potassium in Silage Harvest of Drought-Damaged Corn (2012): Iowa State Univ
Potassium and dry soils (2012): Univ of Minnesota
Potassium deficiency problems showing up in corn (2012): Kansas State Univ
Potassium Deficient Corn and Soybean During Drought (2012): Purdue Univ (Indiana)
Potassium deficiency symptoms in drought-stressed crops (2006): Univ of Missouri
To Sidedress or Not To Sidedress, That is the Question (2007): Ohio State Univ
Why are potassium deficiency symptoms showing now in corn and soybeans? (2012): Iowa State Univ

Irrigation to improve herbicide performance (2012): Michigan State Univ
Weed Management in Winter Wheat Stubble Under Drought Conditions (2012): Univ of Nebraska
Herbicide carryover concerns—-Challenges from the drought will keep on coming (2012): Univ of Wisconsin
Herbicide Concerns After a Drought (2012): North Dakota State Univ

Herbicide Rotation Restrictions for Cover Crops and Fall Forages (2012): Purdue Univ
Be Aware of the Potential for Herbicide Carryover (2012): Univ of Illinois
Dry conditions will likely impact herbicide carryover to rotational crops (2012): Michigan State Univ
Using Herbicides Under Dry Conditions (2012): Purdue Univ.
Considerations With Postemergence Herbicides Applied During Wet or Dry Conditions (2012): Univ of Illinois
Dry weather and postemergence herbicide activity (2012): Ohio State Univ

Drought & Row Crop Management

General agronomic management

Irrigation

Assessing crop damage

Planting, germination, emergence, stand establishment

Pollination, flowering

Kernel set, grain filling and maturation

Harvest and storage issues

Crop insurance issues

Utilizing drought-damaged crops

Insect management issues

Disease & mycotoxin management (also see Crop Insurance)

Soil management, tillage

Soil fertility, plant nutrients

Weed management issues