Drought Stress
July 24, 2008
Although some areas just received some rain, much of the region is affected by drought conditions. Corn uses water quite efficiently but requires a lot of it because of its high yield potential.
Earlier in the growing season the corn plant is not affected much by dry conditions if moisture is available later. Late vegetative stages are more susceptible to drought.
Several days of stressed corn curling its leaves can result in a slight yield reduction. Drought stress during tassle emergence is more detrimental to yield than at any earlier stage.
NDSU estimates that corn yield could potentially be reduced 10-25% from drought stress at tassle. Yet the most sensitive time for corn is between silking and blister stages. Severe drought stress during this time has the potential to reduce yields up to 50%.
Hopefully the rest of the season will provide some much needed rainfall so these scenarios don't happen.