Without sunshine, it is practically impossible for green plants to grow. However, the 'quantity' of sunlight required by crops varied depending on their physiological features; while some crops require abundant sunlight, some require very little. For those crops that require abundant of sunlight; much sunlight results to much yield; however, there are times that too much of sunlight means curses. This article would focus majorly on abundant sunlight loving crops. The essence is to underline the reason why many farmers/gardeners fail during dry season to maximize yield and or obtain positive results from their cultivation even when nature presents a fantastic platform for such.

Why need for sunshine
Plant grows as a result of output from a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a combination of resources majorly water from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air and energy (power) from the sun.
This process in a lay man’s language; drives the growth and productivity of green plant.

Combination of water and sunshine
Availability of all these factors in adequate and BALANCED quantity is the key to successful outcome. Among all the three factors, carbon dioxide is always in abundant quantity (hardly can you have a shortage or excess of this) while either water, sunlight or both could be in short or excess supply. During wet season, plant has abundant water and mild sunlight and is able to produce reasonably well but too much of water sometimes affect productivity/yield. The reason being that, the crop in question has more than what (in this case water) it can process with other available factors of photosynthesis thereby constituting a challenge to the said crop resulting into poor productivity. According to what was said earlier, all the three factors must be in balanced quantities.

Can factors of photosynthesis be controlled?
Yes, factors of production can be controlled particularly in green or screen houses but in a situation where a farmer is planting in an open field, this becomes almost practically impossible. Abundant water can be controlled with the use of screen houses but even with this, controlling abundant of sunlight still poses a lot of challenge. The question is that; can abundant of sunlight be too much and when can this occur?

When abundant sunshine is a curse
Ideally, during dry season, for those sun loving veggies, they have potentials of producing more yield compare to wet season but why is this not the case in most cases? When there is abundant sunlight (a condition mostly common in dry season), there is a need for a complementary supply water in order to get good yield. When water supply isn’t enough, the available or supplied energy from the sun causes injury/death to the crop in question. Some of the effects of too much of energy when water is in short supply are:
Stunted growth: This occurs due to high demand for water that is obviously in short supply, the crop in a bid to supply this required water would shut-down many processes required for growth/yield resulting into stunted growth and possibly death if this water continue to be in short supply.
Poor yield: This occurs when the product from the processes of photosynthesis meant to be directed toward yield is directed towards survival therefore compromising yield.
Burnt leaves: As a result of the fact that the plants aren’t getting enough water to complement the supplied sunlight, the plant leaves begin to get dried and burnt.

How to turn abundant sunshine to blessing
Have you ever thought of the reason why northern part of the country that are blessed with abundant sunlight and little or no natural shades from tree produces more veggies in excess particularly during the dry season than the South? Do not think further; the secret is the abundant sunlight! Most veggies are abundant sun loving plants: tomato, pepper, cucumber, watermelon, carrot, sweet melon etc.
To compensate for abundant sunlight around dry season, there is a need to supply adequate volume of irrigated water. If this is done well, then you are on the verge of experiencing abundant harvest!

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