Desiccation
Pre-harvest dehydration of plant tissues using chemicals to accelerate maturation and simplify the harvesting process.
Также говорят: pre-harvest drying, chemical drying, desiccants
Desiccation is used for forced drying of crops while still in the field. This practice is essential in cases of uneven ripening, high humidity, or heavy weed infestation that may obstruct the harvesting machinery.
The application is timed to the phase of physiological maturity of the seeds. Effective use of desiccants helps to reduce harvesting losses and minimizes the risk of mold and fungal growth caused by excess moisture in the crop.
Common errors include applying the treatment too early, which results in lower yields and reduced seed quality, or applying insufficient chemical rates, which leads to incomplete drying of the plant biomass.