Which condition can cause lodging in fields?

Lodging in fields refers to the bending or breaking of plants at their base, often leading to reduced yields and quality. Wind damage is a significant factor contributing to lodging, particularly for tall crops like corn or wheat. When strong winds occur, they can exert force on the plants, causing them to topple over, especially if their structural integrity is compromised due to factors like excessive height or insufficient root anchorage.

While other factors can influence plant health and potentially contribute to a plant's susceptibility to lodging, they do not directly cause lodging in the same manner as wind. For instance, low temperatures might affect plant growth but are unlikely to directly result in lodging. High soil moisture can lead to weakened roots and can make plants more prone to falling over, but it is typically not the primary cause of lodging like wind is. Excessive nutrients can promote rapid plant growth, which can elevate the risk of lodging when coupled with stormy weather, but again, wind remains the immediate cause of the plants bending or breaking over. Thus, wind damage is identified as the most direct and critical condition leading to lodging in fields.