Forecasted Freezing Temps Should Pause Planting
April 20, 2021
From Bruce Steelman, UT Extension Office
We keep sliding back into a ‘below normal’ temperature pattern for April, and close to freezing temperatures with rain in this week’s forecast has created some concern about viability of corn and soybeans planted this week. Based on current weather reports, nighttime temperatures are forecasted to be close to freezing Tuesday and Wednesday night with some rain expected Tuesday in west Tennessee. Any time soil temperatures drop below 40 degrees, there can be a severe impact on corn and soybean seed planted prior to the cold temperature. Corn and soybean seed are actually sensitive to soil and soil water temperatures below 50 F during the first 36-48 hours of planting (corn) or 24 hours of planting (soybean). Seed planted into moist soil will start to imbibe water quickly. ‘Imbibition’ (rapid water uptake) under cold conditions during the critical first hours of ge