The early morning temperature forecast for Saturday May 9th, 2020 is expected to drop dangerously low for emerged soybeans throughout the Titan Pro footprint.
The critical temperature for freeze injury to emerged corn and soybeans is 28°F. While frost injury may occur at temperatures in the mid-30s, temperatures at or below 28°F for more than a few hours at a time can cause plant death in these crops. Low lying areas in fields are at the most risk when temperatures drop below the 28°F threshold for freeze injury.
For emerged soybeans, plants should be assessed for damage at least five days after suspected injury to inspect for regrowth. If damage occurred above the cotyledons, the plant is likely to recover. If damage occurred below the cotyledons, the plant will not recover.
Look for a discolored hypocotyl (the “crook” of the soybean that first emerges from the ground) which indicates that damage occurred below the cotyledons.
- The soybean plant pictured will not recover.
- Warmer weather will encourage new growth.
- Soybeans not yet emerged at the time of the freeze should be fine.
