13 Important Effects Of Wind On Crop Production

In general , plant growth appears to be inhibited by wind speed more than 10 km per hour. Winds cause maximum damage in association with rain at the time of flowering. 

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Effect of weather and climate on crop.
Importance of soil and tillage in crop.
Best management practices in cultivation.
Agronomy.
Types of agriculture.

(1) Long exposure to strong winds causes morphological changes.

(2) Strong winds develop xerophytic characters and increases root to shoot ratio.

(3) Exposure of growing plants to hot wind results in dwarfing due to desiccation of plant tissue and reduced growth.

(4) Wind increases crop water requirements by increasing evapotranspiration due to removal of accumulated humid air near the leaves.

(5) Calm to moderate wind favor dew deposition needed under condition of soil moisture stress.

(6) Moderate wind aids in effective pollination. Heavy wind during flowering reduces pollination, causes flower shed, increases sterility and reduces fruit set in all crops.

(7) Wind speed more than 50 km per hour leads to lodging of crops leading to heavy loss.

(8) Leeward crops/plants yield more than those on windward.

(9) Gluten content in wheat , protein content in pasture grasses and nicotine content in tobacco have been found to decreases due to protection of these crops from full wind exposure.

(10) A minimum wind speed of 15 km per hour is needed for winnowing operations.

(11) Wind stronger than 8 km per hour can lift sand in arid regions leading to formation of sand dunes.

(12) In coastal areas, winds carrying salt sprays can have harmful effect on susceptible crops.

(13) Soil and sand particles blown by wind strike the leaves and other plant parts making punctures, abrasions, lesions and tear the leaves in to pieces and strips. It will be well marked in maize, sugarcane and banana during summer.

It is known fact that papaya, banana, drumsticks and moringa do not survive in the villages adjacent to seashore due to continuous high wind velocity that makes these plants vulnerable to lodging, breaking up of tissues and uprooting . Due to deforestation, vulnerability of these areas to cyclone hazards has increased along Bay of Bengal coast.

These are the 13 important effects of wind on crop production. please share it and comment.