How to minimise losses when your farm floods

The ongoing rains have led to flooding in various parts of the country, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Farmers are counting their losses as most plants, especially vegetables, cannot withstand stagnant water for a prolonged period. When plants are in standing water for a long time, the roots suffocate and die.

Harmful substances can also build up in saturated soils. Further, photosynthesis is inhibited, slowing or stopping plant growth. Excessively wet soils are also a breeding ground for fungi.

To drain standing water, it is advisable to make ditches and furrows on the farm. Once the water has receded, wash the mud from the leaves as part of the flood damage clean-up. Also, remove excess soil that could have formed around the stem during floods.

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As the floods recede and conditions improve, lookout for any signs of die-back, characterised by yellowing leaves and sometimes shading of leaves. In such scenarios, do selective pruning because branches that have lost leaves are not necessarily dead.

You may notice that the plants are still green, which is a sign of life. Such branches will grow back because they are not actually dead. It is, therefore, recommended that you only remove branches that show physical damage or those that are dead.

Prone to fungal attacks

Floods deprive plants of essential nutrients through leaching. It is, therefore, crucial that these nutrients are replenished through the application of fertiliser to support re-growth. Later on, the plants may exhibit signs of water stress. The symptoms include yellow or brown leaves. The stressed plants are more prone to insect and fungi attacks. Application of the right insecticides and fungicides will be necessary.

In some instances, you may notice that tree roots are exposed as a result of soil erosion after the floods. Cover the roots immediately to prevent them from drying out and any other injury. Observe your plants for a week or two to ascertain the magnitude of damage, and whether or not they will survive.

Spraying with fungicides and insecticides will be necessary to control fungal diseases and insects attack. This will increase the chances of survival after the floods.

Do not be in a hurry to replant any crop in the area. It is advisable to at least wait for two months before replanting. As a precaution, wear gloves and closed shoes when working in flooded areas.

To prevent adverse effects of floods, improve the drainage of land before planting crops that do not grow well with too much water. Plant crops on raised beds, on ridges or on mounds to improve drainage. The raised beds help to drain excess water, keeping it away from the plants. This excess water can then be drained in a pond where it is allowed to soak slowly.

Early-maturing varieties

If you can, select areas that are free draining and those that are likely to retain standing water for a long time after a heavy downpour. If your soils are flood-prone, then it is advisable to select plant species that are tolerant to floods, for example, paddy rice.

Leaving crop residue and/or incorporating living plants year-round can slow water flow and improve infiltration.

Leaving residue and adding living cover helps improve organic matter levels in the soil, which minimises soil crusting or sealing. It also can improve soil water-holding capacity.

Finally, plant early-maturing varieties of crops that will avoid the floods by being planted before or after the season.

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