"Canadian Wildfires Threaten Corn Pollination and Air Quality"

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has blanketed the skies over the central US, raising concerns about its impact on developing crops, particularly corn pollination. While the extent of the impact is uncertain, studies suggest that haze can benefit plant leaves by scattering sunlight and increasing photosynthesis efficiency. However, the ozone content in the smoke can interfere with photosynthesis and crop health. The Midwest is forecasted to see a thinning of smoke in the coming days, but the long-term effects on crop health remain uncertain.