The word "Terminal" refers to the end of a process.
Therefore, terminal drought occurs at the end of the crop season (late-season), during the critical flowering and grain-filling stages.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Drought can occur at different times during the crop growing season.
These dry periods are classified based on when they occur relative to the crop's development stages. Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the types of agricultural droughts based on timing:
- Early Season Drought: This occurs shortly after sowing, usually due to a delay in the onset of the monsoon.
It causes poor germination, weak seedling establishment, and crop failure.
- Mid-Season Drought: This occurs during the crop's active vegetative growth phase, typically due to a long break in monsoon rains.
It reduces tillering and plant height.
- Terminal (Late Season) Drought: This occurs at the end of the crop cycle, during the reproductive, flowering, or grain-filling stages.
It is often caused by an early withdrawal of the monsoon.
Because it occurs during critical grain development, terminal drought can severely reduce yields and grain quality.
- Invisible Drought: This is a prolonged period where rainfall is insufficient to meet the crop's maximum water demand, but is still enough to prevent visible wilting.
It causes a gradual, unnoticed reduction in crop yield. Step 2: Final Answer:
Terminal drought is also known as late-season drought.
