Indiana's corn crop stressed by heat, drought

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.

An agricultural expert says Indiana's recent hot, dry weather is taking a toll on the state's young corn crop.

Purdue Extension agronomist Bob Nielsen says the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Indiana and Ohio are both beginning to experience abnormally dry weather that can damage young corn plants.

Nielsen says a large portion of Indiana's corn crop is now in danger of becoming overly stressed from the heat and dry soils.

He says the recent combination of dry soil and 90-degree readings can be extremely stressful to young corn plants because they need enough soil moisture to develop their root systems.

Nielsen says the bottom line is that farmers with vulnerable corn need to "pray for rain or turn on the irrigation" systems.