Crop Microclimate Modification to Address Climate Change

International Journal of Research and Review
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210950
Vol.8; Issue: 9; September 2021
Website: www.ijrrjournal.com
Review Article E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237
International Journal of Research and Review (ijrrjournal.com) 384
Crop Microclimate Modification to Address Climate
Change
Udit Debangshi1
1
B.Sc. student, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan-731236, West Bengal, India
ABSTRACT
Climate-related agricultural vulnerabilities, as
well as their implications for food security and
farm livelihoods, have been extensively
documented. Extreme weather events such as
floods, droughts, heat and cold waves,
hailstorms, strong winds, cyclones, and other
weather events have increased the exposures of
agriculture to climate risk. These processes are
hampered by a lack of appropriate climatic
elements, resulting in an unfavourable drop in
crop productivity. Increased frequency and
intensity of droughts and floods, as well as
erratic precipitation patterns are predicted to
increase year-to-year yield variability in crop
production. Microclimate, which refers to the
climatic elements in the immediate vicinity of
the plants, is critical because it regulates and
affects the physiological reactions of the plants
as well as the energy exchange activities
between the plant and its surroundings.
Implementation of such microclimatic
modifications in crop production are required to
manage extreme weather risks and boost crop
output in order to increase food security and
agricultural sustainability in this changing
climate. The goal of this paper is to improve
crop production and land productivity by
modifying microclimate as a manifestation of
the efficiency and effectiveness of growth factor
utilisation.
Key words: Agriculture's vulnerability, Crop
productivity, Climate change, Microclimatic
modifications.
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is an indispensable
sector of the Indian economy since it
produces a large portion of our food,
including crops, animals. Farmers always
prefer a production system with less
variation in yield over the year but the
increased frequency of extreme weather
events as a result of global warming has
resulted in a significant increase in
agricultural vulnerability and climatic risks.
Climate change and agriculture are
inextricably linked, and both occur on a
global scale. Climate change has an
especially negative impact on agriculture.
Climate change poses a variety of
challenges including temperature, CO2, and
rainfall, which affect plant development
directly and indirectly through land
availability, irrigation, weed growth, insect
and disease outbreaks, and so on. The global
average temperature has risen at a pace of
1.7°C per century since 1970 [28]
. Heat
waves, also known as extreme temperature
occurrences, are expected to grow more
intense, frequent, and longer than they do
now [29]
. Due to the vagaries of the hazards,
the climatic potential yield, which is based
mostly on climatic conditions, is
diminished. Drought reduces the quality of
fodder available to livestock for grazing.
The use of fossil fuels, industrial activities,
deforestation, and agriculture are all major
contributors to climate change. Carbon
dioxide accounts for 76% of all greenhouse
gas emissions, followed by methane (16%),
nitrous oxides (6%), and
chlorofluorocarbons (2%) [15]
. Methane
emissions from rice fields, enteric
fermentation in ruminant animals, and
nitrous oxides from manure and fertiliser
application to the soil account for 28 % of
India's greenhouse gas emissions [3]
. By
2100, global circulation models forecast a

Udit Debangshi. Crop microclimate modification to address climate change
1.5°C increase in world average
temperature. Similarly, by the end of the
twenty-first century, atmospheric CO2
concentrations are expected to rise from 478
ppm [16]
. Snow cover is projected to
decrease in increased temperature
conditions, and the frequency and intensity
of extreme weather events such as heat and
cold waves, intense rainfall events, and so
on are likely to increase. Global warming
has resulted in increased heavy precipitation
and decreased light precipitation in many
places of the world [36]
. Plants are forced to
mature as a result of terminal heat stress,
resulting in a reduction in crop yield. In
general, increased CO2 levels promote
vegetative growth, but the reproductive
stage of the crop is more closely linked to
an optimum temperature, so the economic
yield is reduced as the temperature rises
because it does not reach the critical
temperature at the critical stages, and
increased vegetative growth caused by
elevated CO2 quickly depletes all-residual
soil moisture, reducing the economic yield.
Short-term crop failures and long-term
production let-downs are more likely as
precipitation patterns change. Erratic
rainfall with high CV % lead to erosion loss
and waterlogged situation.
Figure 1: Climate change and agriculture are intimately linked
(source:https://digital.hbs.edu/platform-rctom/wp-
content/uploads/sites/4/2017/11/ag-climate-768x586.png )
Microclimate modification refers to
any artificially caused changes in the
composition, behaviour, or dynamics of the
atmosphere near the ground in order to
improve the environment in which crops are
grown. Any cultivar's optimal performance
is determined by its genetic potential as well
as the favourable environmental conditions
to which it has been exposed. Microclimate
manipulation has the ability to provide the
greatest possible environment for crop
plants. We can change the agricultural
microclimate without spending a lot of
money by making simple changes/
adjustments in crop management. By
making such changes, the microclimate can
be improved and allow more crop
development and output [27]
. A future trend
in agrometeorological study is artificial
management of plant environment to
maintain optimum conditions for enhanced
plant growth and crop output. Microclimate
modification techniques can be useful
adaptive strategies in agriculture for
managing extreme weather sensitivity and
climatic risks. Farm-level changes and
protected cultivation improve crop
development and yield performance by
modifying the physical environment, sun
radiation, soil temperature, soil moisture,
and wind speed, among other factors.
Mulching aids in the regulation of soil
temperature and the conservation of soil
moisture by limiting evaporation losses,
therefore protecting the crop from adverse
weather conditions. For the most efficient
use of solar energy, Plant density and spatial
arrangement can be modified. Wind breaks
play an important role in reducing the wind.
Improved irrigation management and a
modified crop micro-environment result in
increased heat and water consumption
efficiency. As a result, microclimatic
modification plays a significant role in
climate change management.
MICROCLIMATE MODIFICATION
Crop microclimate refers to the
climate just above and within the crop
canopy and in the soil root zone that can be
influenced by day-to-day management
practices at various time scales [37]
. It refers
to any climatic condition that exists within a
few metres or less above and below the
Earth's surface, and within vegetation
canopies. The best crop microclimate is one
that provides the most favourable

environment for the desired plant response,
that is, the response that maximizes crop
productivity. The phrase is most commonly
used to describe the surfaces of terrestrial
habitats, but it can also be used to describe
the surfaces of oceans and other bodies of
water. Microclimate modification is an
attempt to change or regulate the elements
of climate on a micro scale, resulting in a
climate that is favourable for plant growth.
Temperature, humidity, wind and
turbulence, dew, frost, heat balance, and
evaporation all influence microclimatic
conditions. Key plant responses to
microclimate can be managed for either
radiation budgets, heat balances and
moisture balances [38]
. Microclimates are
greatly influenced by soil type. Sandy soils,
as well as other coarse, loose, and dry soils,
are vulnerable to extremes in surface
temperature, with high maximum and low
minimum temperatures. Vegetation is also
important because it regulates the amount of
water vapour released into the atmosphere
through transpiration [6]
. Furthermore,
vegetation has the capacity to insulate the
soil beneath it and reduce temperature
variability. Microclimates regulate
precipitation and control evaporation and
transpiration from surfaces, making them
crucial to the hydrologic cycle-that is, the
mechanisms involved in the circulation of
the Earth's waters.
MICROCLIMATIC COMPONENTS
Microclimates are the dynamic,
localised interactions between various
processes in the surface layer, such as
energy and matter exchange, radiation
processes, and underlying surface effects.
[12]
.
Soil moisture and microclimate
One of the most important
microclimate determinants is soil moisture.
When soil moisture is present, the thermal
conductivity and heat capacity of the soil
are considerably boosted [4]
. As a result, soil
moisture-rich locations have a more
balanced microclimate with lower air and
soil temperatures. This not only helps plants
develop, but it also has an impact on
weather and local rainfall patterns. There
has been a lot of research in the last decade
on the link between a lack of soil moisture
and the incidence of severe temperatures
and heat waves, both locally and regionally
[41]
. Soil biotic life can thrive when there is
enough moisture in the soil.
Microorganisms help soil fertility by
breaking down organic materials and
releasing nutrients. When moisture occupies
roughly 60% of the available soil moisture,
optimal conditions are achieved. An
abundance of water obstructs the delivery of
oxygen, causing microbial activity to stall,
cease, or turn anaerobic, negatively
impacting plant growth [5]
.
Soil characteristics and microclimate
The relative amounts of clay, silt,
and sand particles in the soil affect the
texture. Clay particles are the tiniest, have
the biggest surface area, and have the
greatest ability to absorb water. Sand has the
biggest particles and the least ability to
absorb water. As a result, sandy soils have a
lower moisture availability and a faster
evaporation rate than clay soils. Clay soils,
on the other hand, can harden in drought-
prone locations, reducing infiltration and
increasing runoff, reducing water
availability. The soil structure is made up of
soil texture, soil organic matter, and
biological activity on the surface and below
ground. The structure has to do with the
development of micro- and macro-
aggregates, which are the ways that distinct
particles are held together. A good structure
can reduce the wind and water erosion, as
well as induce water infiltration and storage.
Soil temperature and microclimate
Incoming radiation, as well as the
soil's thermal conductivity and heat
capacity, determine the temperature of the
soil. Soil colour has an impact on how much
incoming radiation is absorbed or reflected.
Darker soil absorbs a greater percentage of
solar energy, whereas lighter soils reflect
sunlight and are colder. During the day, heat
transfer into the soil moves heat away from

the direct surface, resulting in lower
temperatures. When the surface temperature
drops at night, the soil's heat transfer
direction reverses, and heat is released to the
surface, bringing the extremes back into
balance. Over longer time scales, the same
process happens, with heat being stored
during warmer months and released during
cooler months [4]
. The temperature of the
soil promotes crop growth by supplying the
warmth required by seeds, plant roots, and
soil microorganisms. Plant growth can be
hampered by high soil temperatures, while
excessive temperatures can halt
microorganism biological processes [9]
. Low
soil temperatures, on the other hand, impede
plant water intake, hinder nitrification,
diminishing soil fertility, and exacerbate
desiccation when air temperatures are
greater [14]
. High and low soil temperatures
both affect plant evapotranspiration by
increasing or lowering it.
Air temperature and microclimate
The most important factor of local
air temperature is incoming and outgoing
radiation. Local vegetation can promote
transpiration, which lowers the temperature.
Vegetation can also provide shade,
preventing radiation from reaching lower-
lying plants or surface levels (partially).
Using the cooling effect of soil moisture to
reduce total air temperature can result in
higher crop yields by reducing extreme
temperatures. The reflectivity of a surface
determines how much sunlight is absorbed,
which is referred to as albedo. It has a
significant impact on determining local air
temperatures, and it changes greatly
depending on the weather. Local location
has a significant impact on incoming
radiation such as the direction in which a
slope faces, influences the amount of energy
received as well as shade. The albedo of the
soil is determined by its moisture content.
Because precipitation changes the local
albedo and provides moisture for
evaporation, the interaction between rainfall
and air temperature is significant. A dry soil
has a higher albedo than a wet soil in
general. Croplands have a higher albedo
than forests, which means they reflect more
sunlight back into the sky and produce less
surface heat [20]
. Surface processes and
qualities interact with temperature,
moisture, and wind. Through shade,
vegetation alters the radiation balance while
also acting as a wind barrier [14]
. The upper
crown has the highest air temperature,
which happens one to two hours after local
noon [12]
. Daytime temperatures are lower
below the crown. The cooling of the earth's
surface and the air near the ground, known
as radiation cooling, causes minimum
temperatures in the upper crown at night.
This is especially true when the sky is clear,
the wind is quiet, and the humidity is low.
Air humidity and microclimate
High humid air absorbs water
vapour more slowly than dry air, thus
reduce plant transpiration. The existence of
local wind is necessary to mix the
environment since it moves damp air away
from the vegetation [31]
. Dew formation was
shown to be aided by mild breezes in
unsheltered areas, but dew formation was
found to be inhibited by moderate to high
winds [33]
. Dew production and duration are
influenced by the presence of vegetation
that acts as a windbreak or offers shade.
Windbreaks can help generate dew by
reducing wind speeds, but they can also
minimise it because local warmer air layers
are not eliminated. Vegetation provides
shade, which serves to lower local surface
temperatures, increasing the odds of dew
formation [2]
. The ability of wind to move
air humidity can have a substantial impact
on local humidity levels, both increasing
and decreasing.
Wind and microclimate
Wind has the ability to cool plants
by removing the warm air-boundary layer
that surrounds them. The removal of the
layer and replacement with unsaturated air,
causes higher transpiration, may also alter
the plant's water intake. Furthermore, air
circulation in the vegetation canopy is
necessary for maintaining good CO2 levels

for growth, removing excess humidity, and
lowering the general humidity level,
minimising the risk of illness. Depending on
the ambient temperature, wind can make
temperatures warmer or cooler [4]
. In
addition, many cereal crops are pollinated
by the wind. Bacteria and fungi, like
pollinators, rely on wind to move to new
hosts, while insects use wind to expand their
range [14]
. Dew formation is also influenced
by local winds. Sediments carried by the
wind collided with plant leaves and stems,
causing structural damage. wind have a
cascading effect on the microclimate
through the modification of vegetation
potential and soil moisture storage capacity
[32]
.
MAJOR FIELD MICROCLIMATE
MODIFICATIONS TECHNIQUES
Extreme weather conditions exist
above and below ideal weather condition.
Climate change is projected to amplify the
frequency, intensity, and consequences of
certain types of extreme weather events.
These variables affect the development and
growth of the plants. Rainfall/moisture,
temperature, solar radiation, evaporation
and evapotranspiration, and wind are all
important meteorological characteristics. If
one of those features is out of the box, the
growth of the crop will suffer. Excessive
rainfall, for example, causes floods, whereas
a lack of rainfall causes drought. Cold wave
conditions will occur if the temperature is
significantly below normal. On the other
hand, if the temperature is significantly
higher than normal, a heat wave may occur.
Similarly, cyclones have a negative impact
on crop growth. Weather hazards are a
significant threat to both crops and human
activities. As a result, weather hazards must
be modified using a variety of techniques in
order to reduce losses.
Modification of water balance and
temperature through Mulch application
In the recent past, due to climate
change, some areas have experienced severe
drought, flooding, and other weather-related
issues. On the other hand, scientists believe
that relatively wet areas, such as the tropics
and higher latitudes, will become wetter,
while relatively dry areas, such as the
subtropics (home to the majority of the
world's deserts), will become drier. These
vulnerabilities can be reduced by using
mulch (organic or plastic). In a variety of
ways, residue mulch left on or applied to the
soil alters the crop microclimate above and
below the soil surface, as well as within the
mulch. Farmers all across the world use a
variety of strategies, including residue
retention, mulch application, and/or live
mulch planting to modify solar radiation,
reflection and absorption, shade, thermal
radiation, temperature, humidity, wind/air
movement, evaporation (crop and soil), soil
moisture (surface and inside), and crop
composition, structure, and growth. It may
be beneficial to the seedbed because it
prevents water loss from the soil surface,
but heavy coatings may impede the
germination of seeds that are sensitive to
light and temperature variations. Depending
on the properties of the residues,
simultaneous changes in soil moisture and
temperature, and changes in plant
physiological activities as a result of the
environmental circumstances provided by
mulches. Mulch helps to store moisture,
decrease the temperature of the soil, inhibit
weed development, and promote fertility
and soil health. Because of reduced soil
evaporation and increased plant
transpiration, mulching with crop leftovers
boosted water-use efficiency by 20-30 %.
Straw mulching has been observed to boost
water use efficiency from 1.72 to 1.94 kg m-
3
in winter wheat [8]
. In drought situation
using supplemental irrigation with mulch
during the grain-filling stage resulted in a
higher grain yield and can modify the
microclimate [47]
. Mulch reduces the amount
of solar energy that reaches the soil surface.
During the winter, they raise the soil
temperature, and during the summer, they
lower it. During the summer, white and
light-coloured materials with high
reflectivity are used to lower soil

temperature, whereas dark-coloured
materials and black plastic mulches are used
to raise soil temperature during the winter.
Mulches reduce the rate of evaporation from
the soil and conserve soil moisture for use
by the plants by obstructing the exchange of
water vapours. The benefits are greater
during the summer / kharif season and on
low-retentivity soils. Under mulch, potato
had a much greater leaf area index, absorbed
photosynthetically active radiation, yield,
and water usage efficiency, which they
believe is attributable to soil moisture
conservation and a 4-6o
C reduction in soil
temperature [22]
. Mulch functions as a
physical barrier to exchange processes on
the soil's surface, altering the roughness of
the soil/atmosphere boundary layer as well
as the surface layer's dynamical heat and
moisture properties [35]
. This straw layer is
an excellent example of microclimate
management and manipulation, both
historically and more recently.
Figure 2: Organic mulches used in crop production
(source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2
Fipm-info.org )
Modification of solar interception
through Plant density and spatial
arrangement
The energy that powers the earth's
climate system comes from the sun. Climate
changes caused by variations in the
composition and intensity of incident solar
radiation hitting the Earth may be distinct
from and complementary to those caused by
man-made climate change on a global and
regional scale. Solar variation appears to
have a significant impact on regional
climate in the current time. Row spacing has
a significant impact on canopy temperature
and crop radiation absorption. When row
spacing is increased, the crop's ability to
absorb radiation declines, more radiation
falls on the soil surface, and the soil
temperature rises. If row spacing is reduced,
however, radiation interception by the crop
increases and transmission to the soil
surface decreases, lowering soil
temperature. The cumulative effect of more
effective tillers per unit area, grain number
per spike, and grain weight amounted to a
significantly higher grain yield in the N-S
row direction. Lower canopy temperature
and higher incidence of light in the upper
canopy as the crop matured may have aided
photosynthetic in the grain fill stage,
resulting in increased grain yield. Planting
the crop on N-E side of the ridge also
reduce the solar load in crop plant by
avoiding the direct sunrays.
Modification of Precipitation through
artificial rain making
Short-term crop failures and long-
term production let-downs are more likely
as precipitation patterns change. Erratic
rainfall with a high CV % result in erosion
and water logging. Over the last 100 years, a
trend of increasing monsoon seasonal
rainfall has been observed along the west
coast, norther Andhra Pradesh, and north-
western India (+10 to +12%), while a trend
of decreasing monsoon seasonal rainfall has
been observed over eastern, north-eastern
India, and parts of Gujrat and Kerala (-6 to -
7%) [44]
. The most important requirement of
a crop is moisture. Rainfall is critical in
rainfed crops. The amount and distribution
of rainfall throughout the crop's life cycle
determines its growth. Moisture deficiency
is harmful at any stage of the crop's life
cycle, but it is especially lethal during the
reproductive period. To mitigate the effects
of a moisture deficit, artificial rain can be
used. Because there may not be enough
condensation nuclei in the atmosphere,
artificial rain is based on the principle of
introducing artificial condensation nuclei
into clouds. This is referred to as weather
modification. In 1930, Bergeron and

Findeicen proposed a theory that rain drops
form in clouds when a few ice crystals
appear at temperatures below 0°C [1]
. After
that cloud seeding is being popularised.
Cloud seeding is a methodology for altering
the weather. Artificial rain is created in this
process by spraying dry ice or silver iodide
aerosols into the upper part of the cloud in
an attempt to stimulate precipitation and
form rain. Aeroplanes and rockets can be
used to stimulate the brain. Silver iodide is
the most commonly used substance because
it is inexpensive and readily available. The
types of cloud seeding methods are as
follows:
 Hygroscopic cloud seeding: In this
method, the salts are dispersed in the
lower part of the clouds using flares or
explosives. When salt molecules come
into contact with water, they grow in
size.
 Static cloud seeding entails spraying a
chemical such as silver iodide into the
air or cloud. Silver iodide forms a
crystal around it, allowing moisture to
condense.
 Dynamic cloud seeding: This technique
boosts the vertical air current, allowing
more water to pass through the clouds
droplets, and they multiply quickly.
They fall in the form of rain, hail, or
snow from the sky.
Figure 3: Artificial rain making through foreign materials
(source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsiteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fm.nguoiduatin.vn )
Modification of wind through windbreaks
and shelterbelts
“There is evidence for long-term
changes in the large-scale atmospheric
circulation, such as a poleward shift and
strengthening of the westerly winds,”
according to the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, and these changes are
likely to continue. Windbreaks are a row or
a group of trees, shrubs or structural
elements used to block and direct the wind
(e.g., fences). Windbreak trees protect a
field from prevailing wind patterns,
reducing wind speed significantly before it
reaches the crops. By limiting wind speed,
windbreaks alter the climate in the areas
they cover. Reduced wind speed has a
variety of consequences, including
moderated soil and air temperatures,
increased relative humidity, reduced
evaporation and increased soil moisture, and
changes in snow distribution. The
temperature behind the shelterbelt is usually
slightly higher because the wind's cooling
influence is no longer there. Reduced wind
exposure and increased humidity lower soil
and crop evapotranspiration rates, allowing
for more effective water use. Reduced
kinetic impacts from wind, such as crop leaf
damage and top soil erosion, is another good
effect. As with other agroforestry practises,
increasing water demand from windbreak
trees is a significant problem. Windbreaks
protect buildings from winter wind and
summer sun, saving energy and lowering
heating and cooling costs. Windbreaks can
save up to 25% on winter heating
expenditures. Windbreaks can save you a lot
of money on air conditioning in the summer.

Figure 4: Windbreaks can provide valuable contribution in crop production
(source: https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/graphics/windbreak1.jpg )
Modification of plant growth through
Fertilizer management
Crop nutrients, whether organic or
mineral, are the foods that nourish the
plants, which in turn nourish the people. As
a result, fertilisers are essential for food
security. Damage due to frost is more
occurred in unhealthy crops, and
fertilisation improves plant health.
Fertilization with nitrogen prior to a frost,
on the other hand, promotes growth but
increasing susceptibility to frost damage. To
improve plant hardening, avoid using too
much nitrogen fertiliser. Nitrogen
fertilisation, on the other hand, gives the
crop a new flush of growth after
waterlogged situation. Phosphorus which is
essential for cell division and tissue
development be a boon after freezing injury.
Phosphorus also helps in drought situation
by improving the leaf water content,
photosynthesis rate. Potassium has a
positive effect on plant water regulation and
photosynthesis. Some encouraging results
have recently been obtained with post-
flowering foliar application of various
nutrients on wheat yield. It was reported that
spraying 0.5 % KNO3 at 50% flowering
stage of the crop resulted in higher grain and
straw yield [7]
. Nowadays one of the reasons
for crop yield reduction is a lack of
micronutrients. Zinc is one of the
micronutrients that plays an important role
in most plants' metabolic activities. Zinc
spraying in drought conditions increases the
number of grains per spike, grain weight,
and harvest index when compared to no
spraying.
Modification of Cyclone through cloud
seeding
Warmer sea surface temperatures
(above 26.5o
c) may increase the speed of
tropical storm winds, causing more damage
if they make landfall. Cyclones are one of
the most dangerous weather hazards,
wreaking havoc on agricultural crops in
coastal areas. Cyclones have a negative
impact on all human activities. These
cyclones are also known as tropical
cyclones, typhoons, or hurricanes. The main
benefit of these cyclones is that they cause
rainfall over land in dry areas, but excessive
rainfall can cause flooding over a large area,
especially near the coast. Because of the
devastation caused by these weather
systems, they must be modified. Cyclones
can be modified by seeding the outer clouds
surrounding the eye of the cyclone so that
precipitation occurs before the mature stage
is reached. An enormous amount of latent
heat of condensation is released during
precipitation. The latent heat has the
tendency to disperse the storm over a large
area, reducing the impact of violent force.
Because the cloud surrounding the eye of
the cyclone contains a large amount of super
cooled water with temperatures below -4°C,
silver iodide is used as a seeding agent. It is
based on the principle that the vapour
pressure of ice crystals is less than that of
supercooled water droplets. As a result, ice
crystals form at the expense of droplets. The

addition of silver iodide can turn super-
cooled water droplets into ice crystals. The
latent heat of fusion is released during this
process. It has the ability to disperse the
cyclone in such a way that the magnitude of
the violent force is reduced.
Modification of frost through heaters, fire
and smoke
Frost is the ice coating or deposit
that can generate, usually overnight, in wet
air under cold conditions. This happens
when the Earth's surface temperature and
any earth-bound object drops below zero
degrees (freezing). For centuries, fire and
smoke have been used in traditional
agricultural systems. Heaters provide
additional heat to compensate for energy
losses. Heaters, in general, either raise the
temperature of metal objects (e.g., stack
heaters) or function as open fires. If enough
heat is added to the crop volume to
compensate for all energy losses, the
temperature will not drop to dangerous
levels. They are cost effective for high value
crops (sugarcane, coffee, tea etc). Biomass
residues (crop straw, residue, waste etc) are
also used to heat the crop environment in
windy condition. Straw burning in the wind
creates a smoke layer over the crop surface
that absorbs long-wave radiation released by
the soil, protecting the mustard crop from
frost by boosting the ambient temperature.
Smoke particles are typically less than 1 μm
in diameter, reflect visible light but are
impervious to long wave radiation, and
hence prevent rapid cooling of the ground
surface [30]
. In frost time even light watering
or sprinkling helps in frost protection by
releases latent heat and prevents the tissues
of the plants it coats from freezing.
Sprinkler irrigation provides good frost
protection and raises the temperature of the
microclimate. Sprinkler irrigation increases
long-wave radiation and sensible heat
transmission to the plants when compared to
an unprotected crop. By wetting the soil, it
becomes darkens, which increases the
absorption of solar radiation and avoid the
chilling injury. Using powerful blowers to
reduce wind, preventing the formation of
cold air accumulations, Crop covering or
wrapping (high-value crops), Heat to keep
the temperature from dropping too quickly,
Smoke production to reduce radiation
cooling are Some other Typical measures to
prevent frost or reduce its severity.
Modification of heat waves through
Protected cultivation
Heatwaves, or prolonged hot
weather periods, can have significant social
effects including higher deaths due to hot
weather. Temperatures of days and nights
are becoming more as climate change
becomes more common. Increases in
extreme heat events may result in an
increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths,
resulting in decreased productivity and
lower-quality produce. Protected cultivation
makes it possible to obtain increased crop
productivity by maintaining a favourable
environment for the plants by reducing the
heat waves. The use of netting and other
type of covering has been shown to restrict
air movement around the growing seedlings
in higher temperature [26]
. Protected
cultivation, on the other hand, is used to
protect plants from harsh climatic
conditions by providing optimal lighting,
temperature, humidity, CO2, and air
circulation for optimal plant growth and
quality. Increased air temperatures inside
the house combined with improved moisture
status and root development, increased
nutrient uptake, favouring leaf conductance
and chlorophyll content.
Figure 5: Growing crops in greenhouse as protected
cultivation
(source: https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/strawberries-protected-
cultivation )

Modification of flood through dam, and
land-form change
As a consequence of climate change,
floods and droughts have become more
frequent, posing a threat to traditional
irrigation design and management systems.
Construction of dams and detention basins
can help to reduce flood peaks. Dams can
hold a large amount of water during a flood
and help to reduce the peak volume of water
during a flood. Depending on the
accommodating capacity of the river
downstream of the dam, water stored in
reservoirs created by dam construction can
be allowed to flow down the stream under
controlled conditions. These dams have
aided in the reduction of flood peaks in
downstream areas. Ponds, tanks, and surface
storage structures, in addition to dams, help
with flood control and water harvesting
during dry seasons. Raised Beds are a
revolutionary way to prevent water logging
that increases productivity significantly.
Permanent Raised beds and broad beds, are
the land modification that helps to save 25-
35 % of irrigation water, improve water
efficiency, and avoid excess water near the
crop root zone.
CONCLUSION
Microclimatic modifications help to
adjust the unfavourable conditions prevalent
in the vicinity of the plants, allowing for
greater crop growth and development, yield
in the current situation of global warming
and increased occurrence of extreme
weather events. These Field level
modifications of the physical environment,
such as solar radiation, soil temperature, soil
moisture, and wind speed, among other
things, at the farm level have proven to be
extremely beneficial for improved crop
growth and yield performance. According to
this study, the intensity and frequency of
extreme weather elements are likely to
increase in the future, and microclimatic
modifications can be a very effective
adaptation measure for managing extreme
weather vulnerability and climatic risks in
crop production to ensure food security and
natural resource sustainability in the future.
Acknowledgement: None
Conflict of Interest: None
Source of Funding: None
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How to cite this article: Debangshi U. Crop
microclimate modification to address climate
change. International Journal of Research and
Review. 2021; 8(9): 384-395. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210950
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