Crop/Residue Management After Floodwater

Most crops in fields inundated with floodwater for a week or more will likely die. However, early-planted corn that attained considerable height before the flood could live, if water does not submerge plants. Prolonged flooding will likely stunt growth and severely reduce potential corn productivity, depending on the duration of flooding, air temperatures (high temperatures increase stress), and corn growth stage.

Ear size determination begins during mid-vegetative stages, and grain yield is extremely sensitive to any stress during pollination. Considerable root damage will likely occur, which may further jeopardize plant health when soils dry.

Large corn or wheat that remains after water recedes could restrict fieldwork and replanting of subsequent crops. Live or upright corn stalks could be mowed and allowed to dry for several days.

Dry corn, wheat, or other residue remaining in fields could then be burned, if necessary. Burning would promote quick, efficient planting of another crop, particularly for dryland fields that may not require tillage or raised-bed reconstruction. It also could save valuable soil moisture, compared to multiple primary tillage operations, such as disking.

All weeds should be killed with either herbicides or tillage before planting.

Source: Mississippi State University