Barb Boustead recalls discovering the concept of corn sweat after relocating to Nebraska two decades ago to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where he found himself surrounded by vast cornfields. This term refers to the late-season increase in humidity released by corn plants, a phenomenon well-known among locals.
Nevertheless, the familiar summer humidity in the Midwest may be exacerbated by climate change and the continuous expansion of industrial agriculture. Climate change raises temperatures and promotes warmer nights, enabling the atmosphere to hold more moisture. Additionally, shifting growth conditions permit farmers to cultivate corn further north, thereby increasing the overall corn production in the U.S.
Farmers are also expanding corn acreage to satisfy the rising demand for ethanol. According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service. This situation compels more plants to work to stay cool, resulting in the sultry discomfort experienced across much of the United States this week.
Storm Clouds were built on a cornfield near Platt City, Missouri on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
This effect is particularly noticeable in the Midwest. With such a massive amount of corn grown simultaneously reaching the evapotranspiration stage, it creates a distinct spike in humidity, noted Busthead.
Dennis Tody, who directs the US Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub, is dedicated to aiding producers in adapting to climate change. He pointed out that corn is the primary crop responsible for evapotranspiration, as it extracts water from the soil and releases it into the atmosphere in July, instead of August, as steam.
He also noted that soybeans generally produce more steam in August compared to corn.
Tody emphasizes that more research is crucial to comprehend how climate change influences corn sweat. Factors such as rainfall, crop varieties, and their growth patterns can significantly contribute.
Lou Zisca, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University, emphasizes that elevated temperatures lead to increased transpiration. When asked if corn sweat is linked to climate change, he affirmed, “Yes.”
Zisca also highlighted the growing need for corn for ethanol production. Over 40% of the corn cultivated in the U.S. has been transformed into biofuel, later utilized in vehicles and occasionally in planes. Global ethanol production has been consistently up, except during the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Renewable Fuel Association.
Furthermore, ethanol consumption contributes to emissions that heat the planet.
“It shouldn’t be surprising that temperatures are rising, and as a result, plants are losing more water,” Ziska remarked.
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Source: apnews.com