Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture / Edition 1

by Harpal S. Mavi, Graeme J. Tupper

Overview

Learn how the climate can affect crop production!

Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture is a much-needed reference resource on the practice of merging the science of meteorology with the service of agriculture. Written in a concise, straightforward style, the book presents examples of clinical applications (methods, techniques, models, and services) in varying climates and agricultural systems, documenting up-to-date research literature from around the world. Its systematic approach—different from most books on the subject—makes it an essential tool for teaching, planning, and practical use by working farmers, as it examines topics such as solar radiation, effective rain, drought monitoring, evapotranspiration, and remote sensing.

Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture examines the developing discipline that international agencies such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have declared to be an important growth area in university education. A panel of academics, researchers, and practitioners explore the role of agrometeorology in optimum crop growth, from the interactions between meteorological and hydrological factors and agriculture, including horticulture, animal husbandry, and forestry. The book addresses pressing topics of agriculture resource utilization and management, such as regional and land use planning; soil and water conservation; frost; growing degree day; risk analysis of climate hazards; animal parasites; harvest forecasts; crop models; decision support systems (DSS); agroclimatological forecast; and the ecological and economic implications of climate change.

Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture also addresses:

• managing farm water resources
• environmental temperature
• planning for frost mitigation
• photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
• thermoperiodism
• managing the extremes—droughts and floods
• using computers to manage agricultural systems
• and much more!

The interdisciplinary focus and reader-friendly style of Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture make the book invaluable to scientists, planners, and academics working in the major agricultural sciences, geography, natural resource studies, and meteorology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560229728
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/14/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Harpal S. Mavi, Graeme J. Tupper

Table of Contents

Preface,, Acknowledgments,, Chapter 1. Agrometeorology: Perspectives and Applications,, Definition,, A Holistic Science,, Scope,, Practical Utility,, Chronology of Developments,, Future Needs,, Chapter 2. Solar Radiation and Its Role in Plant Growth,, The Sun: The Source of Energy,, Nature and Laws of Radiation,, Earth’s Annual Global Mean Radiative Energy Budget,, Solar Radiation and Crop Plants,, Solar Radiation Interception by Plants,, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR),, Solar Radiation Use Efficiency,, Chapter 3. Environmental Temperature and Crop Production,, Soil Temperature,, Air Temperature,, Plant Injury Due to Sudden Changes in Temperature,, Frost: Damage and Control,, Thermoperiodism,, Temperature As a Measure of Plant Growth and Development,, Chapter 4. Climatological Methods for Managing Farm Water Resources,, Water for Crop Production,, Making Effective Use of Rainfall,, Evaporation and Evapotranspiration,, Water Use and Loss in Irrigation,, Climatological Information in Improving Water-Use Efficiency (WUE),, Reducing Water Losses from Reservoirs,, Chapter 5. Drought Monitoring and Planning for Mitigation,, Definition of Drought,, Meteorological Indicators of Drought,, Drought Monitoring in Australia,, Drought Exceptional Circumstances,, Overview of Drought Assessment Methods,, Meeting the Challenge: A Drought Mitigation Plan,, Desertification,, Chapter 6. Climate, Crop Pests, and Parasites of Animals,, Role of Weather

What People are Saying About This

Barry J. White

AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE for answers to questions on how climate and weather impact on agricultural production. The book's focus is on analysis and applications, thus it is VALUABLE FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND MANAGERS. The authors have used their extensive experience to harvest examples and extract principles across a diverse but generally representative range of agricultural production systems.
—PhD, National Coordinator (Climate Variability R&D Program), Land & Water Australia

Stephen Lellyett

A VERY WIDE-RANGING BOOK which delivers AN INFORMATION-RICH OVERVIEW of application and contemporary issues faced by agrometeorology. A USEFUL REFERENCE, particularly for specialists from aligned disciplines and university students undertaking agriculture-related courses.
—:Deputy Regional Director NSW, Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, Darlinghurst, Australia