Early Corn Planting and Issues with Cold Temperatures

Cold and freezing temperatures during March are something we rarely experience in the South during corn planting time. However, this week is breaking that tendency. Thus, we discuss how corn already planted may be affected, as well as how you can assess planting conditions before proceeding with future planting in this edition of the Crop Doctor’s Podcast.

Temperature regulates germination and seedling growth rate, so this process definitely will slow to a crawl as soil temperature falls. Furthermore, exposure to water and temperatures less than 50 deg F may also cause chilling injury to seedlings not yet emerged. Emerged corn will have vegetation burned by freezing temperatures which may create issues, if temperatures do not rebound to stimulate subsequent plant growth and recovery.

This cold spell shows that we should account for temperature before planting, particularly early in the spring when cold threats are more likely. Soil temperature needs to be at least 50 F for germination and seedling growth increases with warmer temperatures. Thus, the likelihood of achieving a healthy, uniform stand that is a primary goal is far more likely.

We discuss these issues further in this edition of the Crop Doctors Podcast. Click on the image below to open the link.