Observations on Damages of Rice Crops Caused by the Typhoon No. 14

Abstract

The results of the investigations on the damages of rice crops caused by dry wind which visited at the time of heading of the plant are reported. 1. The spikelets attacked by dry wind were injured in various ways, Some of them were wholly or partialy blasted and others were variously wounded. The hulls of them were discoloured diversely in accordance with the degree of injury, and the development of their kernels was damaged in proportion to the degree of hull discolouration. For instance, the blasted spikelets were discoloured turning gray and their kernels were blasted. The spikelets which were wounded more severely turned dark brown in colour and the kernels grew up into deformed or rusty rice, with the exception of some chalky and blasted rice. 2. The panicles attacked by dry wind when the basal node of them emerged beyond the leaf sheaths were injured more severely than other panicles, and all or great many spikelets on them were blasted. The fact seemed to be that transpiration and dehydration from panicles were most violent at the stage of panicle emergence, and consequently, the injury on ripening should be so severe.