By Andi Anderson
Flooding is often associated with destruction of homes, infrastructure, and communities, but the hidden impacts on agriculture and soil health are just as concerning.
Hurricanes and heavy rains can lead to record-breaking floods, which not only damage crops but also deeply affect soil health and the organisms living within it.
When floods occur, soil becomes waterlogged, drastically reducing oxygen levels. This shift negatively affects soil biology, including important microscopic and macroscopic organisms like earthworms, insect larvae, and beneficial microbes.
These organisms are crucial for breaking down plant matter, recycling nutrients, and supporting crop growth. Without them, soil health deteriorates, impacting crop productivity in the long term.
Flooding also causes contamination of soil by heavy metals such as copper, zinc, and cadmium, which further disrupts soil microbial communities. These changes affect soil pH and nutrient availability, making it difficult for crops to thrive.
Research has shown that flooding can lead to significant crop losses, with some studies reporting up to 100 percent yield losses in corn and tomato crops.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, researchers are studying how flooding affects various crops like corn and tomatoes. They have found that certain older, wild varieties of these crops are more resistant to flooding, while modern varieties struggle. This research is crucial for understanding how to breed more flood-resilient crops in the future.
As the floodwaters recede, they leave behind altered soil environments that make recovery difficult for plants and soil organisms. It is vital to continue research on the long-term impacts of flooding on soil and crop health to develop better strategies for building climate-resilient agriculture.
The need to water-proof our crops and prepare for future climate challenges has never been more urgent.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Illinois, Sustainable Agriculture