Soil drought
A condition where available soil moisture in the root zone decreases to a level that restricts or prevents normal plant growth.
Также говорят: soil moisture deficit, agricultural drought, edaphic drought
Soil drought occurs due to prolonged lack of precipitation, high evaporation rates, or insufficient irrigation. Monitoring this condition is essential for effective water management and selecting appropriate crop protection strategies.
The impact of soil drought includes plant wilting, stunted development, and reduced photosynthetic activity, which ultimately leads to significant yield losses. Crops are particularly sensitive to moisture deficit during key phenological stages, such as germination and flowering.
Common mistakes include measuring moisture only at the surface rather than in the root zone and performing deep tillage during dry spells, which causes further moisture loss. Implementing conservation tillage and straw mulching is recommended to maintain soil water balance during dry periods.