Management Strategies for Drought-Stressed Grain Crops

Production of grain crops, such as corn and sorghum, under dryland conditions poses considerable management challenges to the producer. Probably, the most limiting factor of dryland grain production is the adequacy of rainfall for the crop. The amount, intensity, and distribution of rainfall before and during the growing season is extremely important.

In order to maximize yields of grain crops grown under dryland conditions, management strategies must be followed whereby percolation of rainfall received and conservation of soil moisture is maximized. The following is a discussion of recommended practices which should be helpful to grain producer.

Land preparation for a grain crop should begin as soon as possible after the previous crop is harvested. Leaving some residue from the previous crop on the soil surface will provide at least two benefits: 1) reduce water lost during a rainfall event by intercepting the falling raindrops and limiting the compaction of the soil surface; and 2) reducing moisture loss by shading the soil surface and reducing soil temperatures and evaporation. The number of tillage operations to prepare the soil for the next crop should be minimized to avoid excessive soil moisture losses. Winter weeds should be controlled in the late fall or early winter months.

In most years it is possible to have the soil prepared for planting, fertilized, and protected from winter weeds by the middle of December. Planting of the grain crop can then be done without further tillage, with a minimum of soil disturbance and soil moisture loss. Judicious use of pre-emergence herbicides at planting time can replace the need for cultivation during the remainder of the growing season; thus, allowing the crop to maximize the use of the stored soil moisture.