How Drought Affects Corn
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Every year corn producers somewhere struggle with drought conditions. The extent of corn yield loss is determined by stage of growth when drought hits as well as the hybrid's ability to withstand drought stress.
Water Needs and Drought Effects
Estimated corn evapotranspiration and yield loss per stress day during various stages of growth
Derived from Rhoads and Bennett (1990) and Shaw (1988). From: What Happens Within The Corn Plant When Drought Occurs?, Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin-Extension, 8/20/03.
*Yield expressed as percentage of well-watered treatment. Adapted from Cakir, 2004.
Common Drought-Induced Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms
Potassium Deficiency. Yellow with necrosis on outer leaf margins.
Nitrogen Deficiency. Yellow with necrosis up the midrib and lower leaves.
Nutrients enter plant roots by:
- Mass Flow
- Diffusion
- Root interception
- Without water roots may not grow well and nutrient movement in the soil is limited.
- Nutrient remobilization in the plant will occur when corn can't access nutrients in the soil due to poor root growth or lack of soil moisture.
The foregoing is provided for informational use only. Please contact your Pioneer sales professional for information and suggestions specific to your operation. Product performance is variable and depends on many factors such as moisture and heat stress, soil type, management practices and environmental stress as well as disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents.