Published June 2006 (Rev. May 2007)

Recovery From Hail Damage

URL: http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/HailDamageYoungCornGallery.html

R.L. (Bob) Nielsen
Agronomy Dept., Purdue Univ.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Email address:
 

The following images were taken two and six days following an early June hailstorm in northwest Indiana in 2006. The images are from two fields located within a mile from each other, but were planted on different dates.

The damage sustained in the earlier planted field was a bit more dramatic simply because the plants were older and bigger (five to six-leaf collar stage). However, the damage that occurred on the smaller plants of the later planted field was probably more severe because a higher percentage of the plants were demolished down to the soil surface.

Nevertheless, recovery from hail damage was encouraging in both fields from the first day I looked at the plants (two days after the storm) to the second time (six days after the storm). The lessons from these images are 1) young corn can recover from fairly significant above-ground damage and 2) assessing the consequences of such damage is easier to do if you have the patience to leave the field alone for five or six days.

See the more complete article on hail damage that accompanies this photo gallery.

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Gallery 1. Earlier planted field, about V5 to V6 at time of hailstorm, images taken two days after storm.

Dramatic, but relatively minor leaf damage.	Dramatic, but relatively minor leaf damage.	Three damaged plants, one likely survivor.
Severe whorl damage, but might break loose.	Technically alive, but questionable effectiveness.	Smashed at soil surface, likely will not survive.

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Gallery 2. Earlier planted field, about V5 to V6 at time of hailstorm, images taken six days after storm.

Excellent recovery from whorls.	Tattered leaves, but still attached and viable.	Severe whorl damage causing twisted growth & questionable future.
Severe whorl damage restricting whorl expansion.	Technically alive, functionally dead.	Severe whorl damage, but potential for productivity.

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Gallery 3. Later planted field, about V3 to V4 at time of hailstorm, images taken two days after storm.

Sandier soil, smaller plants, severe damage.	Plants broken at soil surface and "plastered" to soil.	Plants broken off completely above the surface, growing points still below ground.
Plants broken over at soil surface and "plastered" to soil.	Plants broken over at soil surface and "plastered" to soil.	Plants broken over at soil surface and "plastered" to soil.

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Gallery 4. Later planted field, about V3 to V4 at time of hailstorm, images taken six days after storm.

Enough recovery that rows are visible across field.	Reasonable recovery that argues against replanting.	Reasonable recovery given the earlier damage.
Mortally injured.	Reasonable recovery.	Probably will not survive to produce grain.

Related References

Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2007. Recovery From Hail Damage to Young Corn. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/HailDamageYoungCorn.html. (URL verified 5/27/07).