related the initial morning emission of corn
pollen to a decrease in relative humidity characterized by
vapor pressure deficit (VPD) values of 0.2–0.5 kPa around the
anthers. As soon as the anthers are open and pollen is emitted,
transport of pollen into the atmosphere is governed by the
grain’s size, shape and mass as well as the aerodynamic forces
generated by the airflow over and within the crop canopy.
Competing processes of mean advection, turbulence and
gravitational settling as well as interception by, deposition on
and rebound from leaves and other plant parts