Despite unfavorable planting conditions, the crop is in, nitrogen is getting applied 

By Scott Gabbard, Purdue On The Farm Senior Administrator 

The corn is in the ground … now what? Giving credit where it is due, just getting the crop planted this year was a victory. While other columns will focus more on the damage of a wet spring on plant development, this column will focus a little more on what to watch out for as the corn crop does its best to rush towards the finish line. 

The May column was all about Spring Fever, the hopes and dreams of a new crop year. Then the reality of a wet planting season hit. Even so, the months of June and late May are always a good time to walk the fields. Farmers get to see how planting decisions and the struggle with the weather affect the harvest. When the crop was planted tells the story of timing. 

As folks travel farther north in the state, just getting the seed in the ground the first time was a challenge due to wet field conditions. In the south and in pockets throughout Indiana, post-applied weed control applications became an issue. Replanting in poorly drained areas or bottomland was a frustration and, in some cases, abandoned. 

Despite the conditions, give credit where it is due. The crop is up and nitrogen is going into the ground. Some good news is that if nitrogen is applied and the plant can incorporate it – assuming intact root and vascular structures – yields can approach or meet expected yields when nitrogen is the limiting factor for yield. 

Was the bulk of your nitrogen applied before all the rainfall? Soil type, the presence of anaerobic (flooded) conditions, source of N, and several other variables come into play. For a succinct breakdown and some additional insights, review Issue 16 of the 2021 Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter. As Dr. Dan Quinn has often stated, he will likely study Nitrogen management in corn his entire career. Nitrogen trials throughout Indiana with POTF partners will hopefully expedite this endeavor. 

In the coming weeks, educators throughout the state will begin to assess how the crop is doing as the pods begin to fill and as the corn blisters. The corn will enter the R2 Blister stage about 7-10 days after silking. It is preferred that fields are scouted by our team from Silk (R1) to Blister (R2). But with the reality of calendars, RT-R3 works. 

Disease confirmations expected 

With all the moisture received and now that humidity has settled in, more disease confirmations from the POTF Team are anticipated across Indiana. Remember, confirmation does not guarantee a particular disease is in your field. 

That stated, these are developmentally very important stages for farmers as well because of Tar Spot. With the heat, moisture and humidity, scouting for Tar Spot is important. Why? The timing is important, especially if you have budgeted a one-pass application. 

Dr. Darcy Telenko put together a great primer when the first sample was confirmed in Randolf County this year on June 9. 

To check the climate favorability for Tar Spot, start with her story here.

There you will find multiple links for the tar spotter map, forecasting tools and fungicide efficacy tables so that you have a better idea of how long your application will affect tar spot spreading.

This is shaping up to be a year where the yields might be harder fought than usual. However, adaptive genetics, management, and the skills of our farm community are up to the challenge. We still have a long growing season to go. Management from now until harvest will have a large impact of how much ends up in the bins.