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By Laura Jesse, ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic
Flooding per se, does not lead to mosquitoes. It is the water that stands AFTER the flooding that creates opportunities for mosquitoes to breed. Heavy, frequent rainfall may lower mosquito population numbers because there is no standing, stagnant water in which the larvae can feed on grow (mosquito larvae do not live in running water).
Despite the cancellation of the Iowa State University Weed Science field day originally scheduled for June 26, there is still an opportunity to review the weed management demonstrations and research at the ISU Curtiss Farm on South State Street in Ames.
Since planting and herbicide applications are still underway, particularly for soybeans, it is suggested that a good opportunity to see the weed science research exists after the first week in July.
By Daren Mueller, Department of Plant Pathology
By Tom Glanville, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
As the floodwater recede, we are getting lots of questions from rural residents wanting to know if their wells are safe to use. Here are three of the most common questions.
There was no flood water on my property, but the nearby fields and road were flooded. How do I know if my well should be tested.
During the week of June 8, Iowa witnessed record high flood crests on several interior rivers that made national news. But for agricultural interests, the sheer volume of rainfall remains the story even more than the flooding rivers. Total statewide rainfall for Iowa in the 6 weeks from May 1 to June 15 averages 13.3 inches, which is double the normal precipitation load. The wettest areas are central Iowa (9+ inches above normal) and northeastern Iowa (8.5+ above normal).
By William Edwards, Department of Economics
Wet weather has delayed planting of corn and soybeans across the state, and flooding has severely damaged many acres that have been planted. Fortunately, nearly 90 percent of the corn and soybean acres in Iowa are covered by multiple peril crop insurance (MPCI), which can provide some relief.
By Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology
Infection by a number of pathogens is favored by flooded conditions. Excess soil moisture and anaerobic soil conditions also favor the development of certain diseases.
Root Rots
Over the past week, I have received a number of reports of crown, mesocotyl and root rot of corn. Although root rots of corn occur to some extent every year, under wet conditions, they can cause economic losses.
By Elwynn Taylor, Department of Agronomy
It only takes a glance at the year’s (water year begins in October) precipitation map to identify the region of ABNORMAL wetness. The record setting floods of 2008 are no surprise in light of the records. If it seems that high water years in the Midwest are increasingly common since about 1970; they are.
By Mike Owen and Bob Hartzler, Department of Agronomy
Weeds have continued to grow thus making the application of POST herbicides imperative despite the slow development of the corn crop. However, it is also important to follow the size restrictions that exist on the herbicide label, particularly given that corn is under stress due to the poor growing conditions.
By Jay Harmon, Department of Agricultural and BioSystems Engineering
Once the water recedes after a flood there are many things that need to be dealt with before putting a building back in service. These involve dealing with safety issues, service issues and other efforts that will prolong the life of the building.
