 Source: P. Thomison, OSU |
 Source: P. Thomison, OSU |
Symptoms:
Water soaked ears can result in premature kernel sprouting that can lead to secondary bird damage and insect feeding.
Cause:
Immersion of ears in water. In recent cases involving late season flooding, when corn in the dent stage was covered by flood water for six hours or more and nearly completely caked with mud for up to two weeks, damage from ear rots and premature kernel sprouting was extensive in those areas of fields where water had covered the ears the longest. Greater damage was associated with ears with loose husks in an upright orientation at maturity. The combined effects of excess moisture, bird and insect damage and warm temperatures may result in ears being colonized by mycotoxin producing molds.
Management:
Sprouted kernels will likely be lighter and some yield and test weight may be lost in the most severe cases. Sprouted kernels are also more likely to develop molds and mycotoxins. This could result in some discounting if the problem is severe enough. Often during the harvesting and drying process, these sprouts will disappear and grain will appear normal.
References:
Anonymous. 2011. Flood damage. USDA FGIS/Education and Outreach Visual Reference Library – Corn. Available at http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/vri/corn-flood-damage.aspx [URL verified 1/16/2019].
Nielsen, R. 2012. Premature Corn Kernel Sprouting (aka Vivipary). Corny News Network, Purdue Extension. Available at http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/Vivipary.html [URL verified 1/16/2019].
Roth, G., J. Heinrichs, C. Altemose, V. Ishler and M. Hall, Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences and Dairy and Animal Science. Pennslvania State Extension 2011. Managing Flood Damaged Crops. Available at http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/grains/corn/weather-related-corn-problems/management-of-flood-damaged-crops/managing-flood-damaged-crops [URL verified 1/16/2019].
Thomison, P.R., P. Paul, and D. Mills. 2007 Late Season Flood Damage to Corn: Management Considerations. C.O.R.N. Newsletter 2007-28 August 27, 2007 – September 4, 2007. Available at http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletters/2007/28#1 [URL verified 1/16/2019].
Wiebold, W. 2009. Wet Weather Can Cause Seeds to Sprout before Harvest. Integrated Pest & Crop Management Newsletter, Univ of Missouri. Available at http://ipm.missouri.edu/IPCM/2009/11/Wet-Weather-Can-Cause-Seeds-to-Sprout-before-Harvest. [URL verified 1/16/2019].