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Did wildfire smoke help the 2023 corn harvest?
Daniel Quinn, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Corn Production at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, recently provided intriguing insights on the effects of wildfire smoke.
Quinn was a keynote speaker at the 2024 Great Ontario Yield Tour event held in Woodstock, Ontario, on August 29, 2024.
In recent years, Canada and the United States have been facing increasing air quality concerns during the summer due to rising wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada.
In late June 2023, widespread wildfires across the Midwest and Canada triggered air quality warnings due to smoke. This resulted in visible haze and a reduction in direct sunlight. This situation raised a crucial question for many farmers: how does smoke affect crop development?
Quinn highlighted the complexity of smoke’s impact on crops, explaining that it can potentially alter yield outcomes by affecting the photosynthesis process.
The year 2023 experienced high temperatures and low rainfall, leading to more frequent wildfires. This situation is considered quite normal.
Past wildfires have seen smoke covering high production areas.
Quinn shared a slide that asked whether wildfires negatively impact corn farming and lightened the mood of the group. With a smile, he stated, “Yes and no, it’s a complex situation.”
Smoke does reflect sunlight, thereby reducing sunlight availability. Plants require sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. Additionally, smoke contributes to ground-level ozone formation, negatively affecting air quality, which also has adverse effects on plants.
Quinn clarified that the timing and intensity of reduced sunlight are significant factors. Are these effects occurring during the maturation phase of the corn plant or post-germination?
He also emphasized that wildfires can scatter light, potentially impacting photosynthesis, allowing light to penetrate better into the corn leaf canopy.
Quinn believes that the smoke might have actually helped the 2023 corn harvest since it was hot and dry in June. The smoke lowered temperatures and reduced plant transpiration, which in turn decreased water loss. However, the timing of this reduction was crucial.
Quinn also examined factors related to heat stress.
To learn more about Quinn’s full presentation and explore the complex details, watch the video below.
Source: Tarım Haberleri
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.
