Frost strikes Indiana soy

Parts of Northern Indiana saw overnight temperatures dip below freezing this week, and there have been widespread reports of frost damage to soy.

Soy specialist at Purdue Shawn Castile said the crops most likely to have suffered damage were those that had emerged.

According to the latest crop update, over 9% of the soy crop has emerged. When evaluating damage, Castile said it depends on what part of the plant was injured. Soy is more susceptible than corn to aboveground damage by frost or lethal cold temperatures because its growing points are exposed above ground as soon as the crop emerges.

Castile said that if there is only leaf damage, the plant will recover. Generally, a wait of three to five days after the weather event before, will then allow accurate access to the extent of damage or recovery.

On the other hand, it is still early enough to replant with no loss of yield. "You can plant soybeans during the first three weeks of May about anywhere in Indiana and still get normal yield potential," he said.

However, that with the cool, wet forecast for the next few days, plant growth will be slowed and that could cause problems for replanted fields, he noted.