Significance of wind

A. Positive effects

• Rate of photosynthesis increases with wind speed up to certain limit then it remains at peak to certain velocity. As wind help to increase the supply of CO2to plants which increase the rate of photosynthesis.
• Wind helps in pollination
• It causes the seed dispersal

B. Negative effects

• Higher wind speed coupled with high temperature and low humidity of the surround air has desiccating effect on the plants by replacing humid air by dry air in the intercellular spaces thereby increase water demand of the crop plant. At the time of cell expansion, the hot dry wind affects the cell maturity and results in dwarfing of plants.
• High wind velocity increases the transpiration rate under normal condition as layers of the humid air adjacent to the plant leaf surfaces are removed by wind.
• Severe winds are harmful especially at the time of flowering and fruit set. The internal water balance is upset, resulting the poor seed setting. Another form of the injury is the blossom injury caused by evaporation of secretions in the stigma.
• Occurrence of the heavy winds at the time of crop maturity causes the crop damage by lodging, shattering etc.
• Wind from sea carries salt as spray on coastal areas and makes it impossible to grow salt sensitive crops.
• High wind accelerates the moisture loss from soil, thereby increases the irrigation demand
• Strong wind also causes soil erosion and exposure of roots of shallow plants.