Extensive spring floods delay Indiana soybean planting

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As rain-soaked soils begin to dry in Indiana, farmers with soybean acreage left to plant should now be planting mid-season soybean varieties, said a Purdue University expert.

“In general, total rainfall across the southern third of the state is running as much as 10 to 15 inches above normal for the year with extensive flooding,” said Purdue agronomist Ellsworth Christmas. “Soybean planting has obviously been delayed and has now been delayed long enough for farmers to consider changing maturity groups.”

But because mid-season soybean varieties tend to yield lower than full-season varieties, Christmas suggests planting a few extra.

“Seeding rates should be increased by 15 to 20 percent to promote shading, taller plants, and increased pod height and number of nodes per acre,” he said. “This will help offset the reduced yields caused by delayed planting.”

Planting later than normal does mean that farmers will be harvesting crops a little bit later, but Christmas said harvest shouldn’t be delayed the same amount of time as planting.

“Unlike corn, which requires a certain number of growing degree days to mature, soybeans are more sensitive to day length,” he said. “As the day length shortens later in the growing season, soybean maturity speeds up. In general, for each three days planting is delayed, harvest is delayed only one day.”

While there is still time for farmers to get their soybeans into the ground, Christmas warned that there does come a point when late becomes too late.

“A commonly used rule of thumb to stop planting soybeans is 90 days prior to the first 32 degree frost for a given area within the state,” Christmas said. “This means that the cutoff date for the Bluffton area in northeastern Indiana is June 30, while in the Lafayette area it is July 5. Soybean planting should cease in most of the southern half of Indiana by July 10, except for the southwest corner, where planting can occur up until July 15.”

Flooded vegetables, fruits present health risk

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Vegetable and fruit crops partly or completely submerged in floodwater or that might have come in contact with the water could be contaminated with microorganisms and should not be sold or consumed as fresh produce, said Purdue University Extension specialists.

Inedible flowers and other floriculture crops with flood residue should be cleaned and disinfected before they are sold, the experts said.

Depending on the growth stage of vegetable crops, producers are prohibited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from marketing those crops, said Elizabeth Maynard, Extension vegetable crops specialist. In any case, there is a high health risk from consuming produce submerged in or splashed with floodwater, she said.

“For edible crops, there is the risk that the crops have been contaminated with pathogens or chemicals,” Maynard said. “These crops should not be harvested for sale as fresh produce. This may come as very unwelcome and unexpected news for producers.”

Indiana produced about $136 million worth of vegetables and fruits in 2006 and ranked among the top 10 states in the production of tomatoes for processing, cantaloupes, watermelons, snap beans for processing, cucumbers for pickles, and blueberries in 2007, according to the Purdue-based Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service (IASS). The production value of Indiana’s vegetable and fruit crops was more than $111.5 million in 2006, the IASS reported.

Producers won’t be able to salvage flood-damaged vegetables and fruits for fresh consumption because if crops have experienced surface contamination it is possible microorganisms have moved into plant tissues, Maynard said.

“There are no sprays that would be appropriate for either the soil or the crop to reduce the risk of contamination,” she said. “Any sanitizer would become ineffective based on the level of organic material present in the soil. Washing does not eliminate pathogens, so we’re recommending producers focus on reducing the risk by discarding affected crops or incorporating the crops into the soil.”

The risk level for suspected flood-tainted fresh produce crops varies according to the crop development phase, Maynard said. Maynard and colleague Shari Plimpton of the Center for Innovative Food Technology, a division of EISC Inc., described those phases and risks as follows:

• Edible portion of vegetables or fruit present - very high risk. The crop is considered adulterated by the FDA and cannot be sold for consumption.
• Crop has emerged but edible portion is not present - high risk. The potential presence of microorganisms in the plant, as well as in the soil, could result in indirect contamination of the crop after floodwaters recede.
• Crop has been planted but has not emerged - high risk, for the same reasons as emerged crops.
• Crop has not been planted - moderate risk. Soil contamination could be as high as if it had been treated with noncomposted manure. To reduce risk, planting should not be done for at least 120 days after floodwaters recede.

Fruit growers should not assume their crops are safe from contamination even if the fruit grows on trees, said Peter Hirst, Purdue Extension commercial tree fruit specialist.

“It might be safer not to sell or eat any fruit from flooded orchards, whether or not the fruit has been in contact with floodwaters,” Hirst said.

For flowers and ornamental plants that have been in floodwater, growers can use horticulture-approved wetting agents or surfactants at low rates to help remove residue, said Roberto Lopez, Purdue Extension commercial floriculture specialist.

“This may take off some, but not all, of the residue,” Lopez said. “Plants should be treated on a plant-by-plant basis and tested for phytotoxicity. It is important to remember that no studies have been conducted to see if wetting agents or surfactants are effective for this purpose.”

An alternative cleaning method involves using insecticidal soaps that are labeled for use on plants, said Janna Beckerman, Purdue Extension plant pathologist.

“Treat plants with the soap and then allow them to sit for a few minutes to dissolve the residue,” Beckerman said. “Then rinse with water from a separate sprayer. Because it is labor intensive, this method might only be feasible for high-value plants.”

Indiana greenhouse growers produced more than $60 million worth of plants in 2005.

For more information on general flood recovery information, visit the Purdue Disaster and Emergency Management Resources page at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/eden/disastertopics/
floodstorms/index.html .

In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency has partnered with Mid American Ag and Hort Services Inc. on a fresh produce food safety initiative. To learn more, call (419) 724-2930 or visit http://www.midamservices.org .

Specialist: Don’t take chances with tap water during floods

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Just because water looks crystal clear doesn’t mean it is safe to drink. That’s especially true in areas like those in Indiana that are experiencing record flooding, said Jane Frankenberger, a Purdue University Extension water quality specialist.

“If homeowners get their drinking water from a well and they’ve had flooding, they should assume that the water may be contaminated,” Frankenberger said. “They should boil tap water until they can be assured that the water is safe, or use bottled water.”

Wells that were constructed according to state regulations should not be flooded with contaminated water, “but I would not assume they aren’t,” Frankenberger said.

Tap water should be boiled for one minute at a full rolling boil, Frankberger said. “Homeowners with wells also should have their wells disinfected,” she said. “That can be done by any well driller or homeowners can do it themselves.”

Frankenberger also warned against playing in floodwater. “The water could very well be contaminated, which makes it a public health concern,” she said. “You don’t just have to ingest the water to get sick. Contaminants can get into your body through cuts in your skin and other ways.”

Other water safety tips in flooded areas are available in First Steps to Flood Recovery, Purdue Extension publication ACS-101.

The publication also provides information on protecting family, people with disabilities, pets and livestock; re-entering buildings; damaged food; salvaging keepsakes and furniture; replacing or cleaning appliances, carpets, floors, drywall and insulation; contacting insurance companies; and seeking government and community support.

First Steps to Flood Recovery is available at county offices of Purdue Extension, by calling the toll-free Purdue Extension hotline at 1-888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) or online at http://www.ces.purdue.edu/floodpub/index.html .

Additional online Purdue Extension flood resources include:

• Septic System Performance in Flooded and Soggy Soil Conditions - http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/disastertopics/floodstorms/files/septicsystems.pdf
• What You Should Do if Your Water Well Has Been Flooded - https://engineering.purdue.edu/SafeWater/drinkinfo/floodedwell.htm
• Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Web site - http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/ and click on “floods,” “storms” or “tornadoes.”

“The Web site has been designed to support the printed First Steps to Flood Recovery publication by offering up-to-date Web links with more information,” said Steve Cain, EDEN Homeland Security Project director. “EDEN will keep this site updated when more or new information is available.”

Specialist: Don’t take chances with tap water during floods

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Just because water looks crystal clear doesn’t mean it is safe to drink. That’s especially true in areas like those in Indiana that are experiencing record flooding, said Jane Frankenberger, a Purdue University Extension water quality specialist.

“If homeowners get their drinking water from a well and they’ve had flooding, they should assume that the water may be contaminated,” Frankenberger said. “They should boil tap water until they can be assured that the water is safe, or use bottled water.”

Wells that were constructed according to state regulations should not be flooded with contaminated water, “but I would not assume they aren’t,” Frankenberger said.

Tap water should be boiled for one minute at a full rolling boil, Frankberger said. “Homeowners with wells also should have their wells disinfected,” she said. “That can be done by any well driller or homeowners can do it themselves.”

Frankenberger also warned against playing in floodwater. “The water could very well be contaminated, which makes it a public health concern,” she said. “You don’t just have to ingest the water to get sick. Contaminants can get into your body through cuts in your skin and other ways.”

Other water safety tips in flooded areas are available in First Steps to Flood Recovery, Purdue Extension publication ACS-101.

The publication also provides information on protecting family, people with disabilities, pets and livestock; re-entering buildings; damaged food; salvaging keepsakes and furniture; replacing or cleaning appliances, carpets, floors, drywall and insulation; contacting insurance companies; and seeking government and community support.

First Steps to Flood Recovery is available at county offices of Purdue Extension, by calling the toll-free Purdue Extension hotline at 1-888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) or online at http://www.ces.purdue.edu/floodpub/index.html .

Additional online Purdue Extension flood resources include:

• Septic System Performance in Flooded and Soggy Soil Conditions - http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/disastertopics/floodstorms/files/septicsystems.pdf
• What You Should Do if Your Water Well Has Been Flooded - https://engineering.purdue.edu/SafeWater/drinkinfo/floodedwell.htm
• Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Web site - http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/ and click on “floods,” “storms” or “tornadoes.”

“The Web site has been designed to support the printed First Steps to Flood Recovery publication by offering up-to-date Web links with more information,” said Steve Cain, EDEN Homeland Security Project director. “EDEN will keep this site updated when more or new information is available.”

Mosquitoes may be early and numerous due to floods

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Hoosiers should be extra vigilant this year to avoid mosquito bites because itching and scratching season likely will begin early due to June’s massive flooding, according to Purdue University experts.

The heavy rains that hit Indiana the first 10 days of June will leave numerous areas of standing water, the breeding ground for mosquitoes, said Ralph Williams, a public health entomologist in the Department of Entomology. Initially, this will result in an influx of nuisance mosquitoes that don’t transmit disease to people, but can carry canine heartworm to dogs

“As floodwaters recede, pockets of water may linger where mosquitoes can lay their eggs,” Williams said. “With the earlier chance for the mosquitoes to breed, it’s especially important to take precautions that will help keep the mosquitoes from spreading a disease to you.”

As the water stands longer and becomes stagnant, it will become a harbor for other mosquitoes, including the type that carries West Nile virus, which potentially can be fatal to humans and horses.

The high probability of an early emergence of the Culex mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus means horse owners should ensure their animals are vaccinated against the disease and other mosquito-borne encephalitic illnesses, said William Hope of the Purdue community equine clinic.

“It looks like it will be a big mosquito season, so horses will have more of a chance to contract these diseases,” he said. “Horses should be vaccinated now, if they haven’t been already, and then receive a second shot in the fall.”

The vaccine is effective for horses, but no vaccine has been developed to protect people or other animals against West Nile virus and related diseases. Other animals, including dogs and cats, can be infected, but it’s rare for them to develop the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Culex mosquitoes usually are most active in Indiana from mid-August through the fall. However, the Indiana State Department of Health already this year has found the virus in some mosquitoes.

Among diseases that mosquitoes spread are West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and Eastern and Western encephalitis. West Nile virus, and occasionally Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and La Crosse fever, appear in Indiana. People and some other mammals can contract all of these diseases, but horses don’t contract St. Louis encephalitis or La Crosse fever.

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus when they bite an infected bird and then bite a person, horse or some other mammal. Although a mosquito may bite an infected mammal, no evidence exists that the diseases can be spread to another mammal, or directly between mammals. This is because, unlike birds, there is not a high enough concentration of the virus in other animals to allow for transmission.

Of the more than 3,000 known mosquito species, Indiana is home to more than 50. Their life cycle is seven to 10 days, and they all breed in standing water.

Williams and Hope recommend that people and animals avoid mosquito-infested areas as much as possible, especially during dusk and dawn, which are prime biting times for the insects. People should use insect repellents containing DEET and picaradin, Williams said.

Insecticides are available to spray on horses and around horse areas.

In addition, the experts recommend these precautions:

• Dispose of, empty and/or clean livestock watering troughs, ditches, puddles, birdbaths, rain gutters, buckets, old tires, ponds and swimming pools so mosquitoes can’t breed.
• Make sure the mosquito repellent you use is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and check that the concentration is approved for use on children.
• Don’t use human anti-insect products on animals; those repellents could sicken an animal. Special repellents are available for horses, but not for dogs and cats.
• Wear light-colored clothing, long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and hats when outside.
• Cover horses with light-colored, lightweight or netted sheets to help keep insects away.