Corn roots can be damaged if planted in wet soil

May 02, 2013

Jumping the gun on corn planting can damage plant’s root systems. University of Missouri Extension cereal crops specialists Brent Myers and agronomy specialist Bill Wiebold are warning growers not to plant too soon, noting allowing soil to dry is important to mitigate harm to their plants’ root systems. Roots in compacted wet soil aren’t able to grow properly, which can also make them more vulnerable to disease.

While the planting season has started off slower compared to last year, Wieldbold tells farmers that there is no reason to panic, explaining that last year’s planting season shouldn’t be used as a yardstick. Wiebold has studied the effects of corn planting dates and has found that weather conditions in July and August affect corn yield more than the planting date. He says there is still time to plant corn as intended and cautions against quick decisions to switch corn acreage to other crops like soybeans.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.