Which of the following is considered a covered peril in crop insurance?

Flooding is considered a covered peril in crop insurance because it falls under the category of natural disasters that can affect agricultural production. Crop insurance is designed to protect farmers against financial losses resulting from various risks, including weather-related events. Flooding can severely damage crops by either inundating them or creating conditions that promote disease and rot, thereby leading to significant losses in yields.

This coverage is explicitly included in many standard crop insurance policies, as it can result in total loss for certain crops. The purpose of such coverage is to mitigate the financial impact on farmers when they face unforeseen events that are beyond their control, aligning with the fundamental objectives of crop insurance.

The other options do not fit the criteria for covered perils under typical crop insurance policies. Increased market prices relate to economic factors rather than direct physical damage to crops; weed growth and excessive fertilizer usage are examples of farmer management practices that, while they may impact crop yields, do not constitute insurable events under crop insurance.