Extreme heat has crops sweating [Video]

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Across social media, you may have heard about crops, specifically corn, “sweating.” While it has been hot, this process is nothing new.

During the growing season, crops absorb water. As water is absorbed, crops then undergo a process known as evapotranspiration. Moisture within the crop is then evaporated, causing humidity levels to increase around these crops.

The United States Geological Survey defines evapotranspiration as “the sum of all processes by which water moves from the land surface to the atmosphere via evaporation and transpiration.”

Kentucky Mesonet Outreach Manager Shane Holinde said evapotranspiration is common.

“Transpiration happens through other types of vegetation, including trees, other plants and soybeans,” Holinde said. “Of late, soybeans now maturing here in Kentucky, so you can still get evapotranspiration from the late-season plans.”

The evapotranspiration process can occur with other crops that are more local to areas across Kentucky.

While the …