Agrometeorology: Wind and Plant Growth

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/agri_agrometeorology_wind.html

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Agrometeorology: Wind and Plant Growth

Soil Water Effect of Wind on Crop Production Wind direction and velocity have significant influence on crop growth. Dryland Agriculture Watershed Management Disaster Management Integrated Farming Organic Farming Green Manuring Department of Agriculture Agriculture Policy Notes Agriculture Schemes IAMWARM Project Application Forms Farmers Association Publications FAQs ? Glossary Important Links Gallery TNAU Contacts Beneficial impact of wind Drought 1. Wind increases the turbulence in atmosphere, thus increasing the supply of carbon dioxide to the plants Flood Salinity resulting in greater photosynthesis rates. Temperature 2. Wind alters the balance of hormones. 3. Wind increases the ethylene production in barley and rice. 4. Wind decreases gibberillic acid content of roots and shoots in rice. Crop Planning 5. Nitrogen concentration in both barley and rice increase with increase in wind speed Cropping Pattern Microclimate Wind influences crop production in two ways Temperature (1) Physiological impact Wind (2) Mechanical impact Rainfall (1) Physiological impact: i. Increases transpiration especially cuticular transpiration than stomatal transpiration. ii. Hot wind accelerates the drying of the plants by replacing humid air by dry air in the inter cellular spaces. For example, rice crop during June-July months shows tip drying. iii. Wind increases turbulence in the atmosphere and availability of CO2 and thereby increased photosynthesis. iv. Beyond a certain wind speed the rate of photosynthesis becomes constant. (2) Mechanical impact on plants: (i) Strong wind damages the shoots (ii) Lodging (Paddy, Sugarcane, Banana etc.,) (iii) Flower and fruit shedding (iv) Crops and trees with shallow roots are uprooted. (v) Cold wind causes chilling injuries (vi) Causes soil erosion (vii) Soil deposition causes poor aeration in root zone Solar Radiation Relative Humidity Mineral Nutrition Plant Growth Regulators Yield Improvement Tips

Lodging due to strong winds

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Agrometeorology: Wind and Plant Growth

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/agri_agrometeorology_wind.html

Uprooted tree due to strong wind

Protection of plants from wind damage: (i) Shelter belts and wind breaks: Refers to growing trees and tall crops across the direction of prevailing wind to reduce the physiological and mechanical damage to crops. Wind breaks reduces the wind velocity and creates favourable microclimate. (ii) Adjusting the direction of planting. (iii) Providing support to the tall crops (eg) Banana.

Providing support to the tall crops (eg) Banana

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Agrometeorology: Wind and Plant Growth

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/agri_agrometeorology_wind.html

Wind breakers Source: www.learningfromfarmers.com.au/members/strong/images/field.jpg www.flickr.com www.laspilitas.com

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