Irrigation
Corn production in Arkansas is only recommended with irrigation. All five locations for the Arkansas Corn Hybrid Performance Tests are irrigated, even though there is still a small percent age (estimated 20 percent or less) of corn in Arkansas that is not irrigated. Reasonable corn yields may be obtained without irrigation in some years that have good rainfall patterns and growing conditions. However, if adequate rainfall does not occur, yields can be a disaster and the drought stress can contribute to charcoal rot and aflatoxin, which can result in crop failure. These potential risks are the basis for the strong recommendation to irrigate corn in Arkansas.