Wheat Canopy Interception Boosts Rainfall Efficiency, Transforming Crop Yields
Canopy interception of rainfall by winter wheat plants was studied to understand how efficiently they use rainwater. The number of leaves on a plant affects how much rain it can catch, with more leaves leading to higher interception. As the plants grow, their ability to intercept rain increases, but the rate at which they catch rain decreases. In groups of plants, the amount of rain caught is related to the leaf area and aboveground biomass. Canopy interception by winter wheat peaks during the heading stage, with the most rain caught at this time. Overall, the study shows that the number of leaves, plant height, and growth stage all play a role in how much rain winter wheat can intercept.