ABSTRACT
Crops are distributed throughout the world on the basis of natural adaptability. There is little to be done to protect or weather-proof crops from a shortage of sunlight caused by unusual spells of heavy and/or persistent cloudiness. Water supply limits crop production in the semi-arid and subhumid regions of the world. Mechanical destruction of crops in severe weather is another constraint to stable agricultural production. Hurricanes and cyclones do considerable damage to crops grown in certain coastal regions. Tillage, fertilization, strip cropping, skip-row planting and crop rotation are examples of cultural practices that can be used to minimize the impact of drought by maximizing crop production while achieving water and soil conservation. Technological measures to mitigate drought must accomplish at least one of two purposes: increase water supply; reduce water demand. Alterations to the plant itself may provide the best of future strategies to weatherproof crops.
