AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY PRACTICAL | SOIL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT




FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
A REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY PRACTICAL
FACULTY: FARM
COURSE CODE: SEM 401
COURSE TITLE: AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY
Aim To use meteorological and climate data to support crop management practices and agricultural diversification opportunities as well as monitoring weather conditions as they relate to production.

 INTRODUCTION
The word meteorology is derived from a Greek word meteoros meaning the ‘phenomenon of the sky’. Agricultural meteorology is the branch of meteorology that deals with the relationship of weather and climate to crop and livestock production and soil management.
            It is also a branch that examines the effects and impacts of weather and climates on crops, rangeland, livestock and various agricultural operations. The branch of agricultural meteorology dealing with atmospheric-biospheric processes occurring at small spatial scales and over relatively short periods is known as micrometeorology. Sometimes called crop micrometeorology for managed vegetative ecosystems and animal biometeorology for livestock operations. The branch that studies the processes and impacts of climate factors over large time and spatial is often referred to as agricultural climatology.

IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE OF METEOROLOGY IN AGRICULTURE
1.         Research in crop-climate relationship:- Agro-meteorology can help to understand crop-climate relationship so as to resolve complexities of plant processes in relation to its micro-climate.
2.         Climate extremities:- Climate extremities such as frost, floods, droughts, hail storms, high winds can be forecasted & crop can be protected.
3.         Climate as a tool to diagnose the soil moisture stress:-Soil moisture can be exactly determined from climatic water balance method which is used to diagnose the soil moisture stress, drought and necessary protective measures such as irrigation, mulching, application of anti-transpirant, defoliation, thinning etc can be under taken.
4.         Livestock production:- Is a part of agriculture. The set of favourable and unfavourable weather condition for growth, development and production of livestock is studied in agricultural meteorology. Thus, to optimize milk production, poultry production, the climatic normal are worked out and on the suitable breeds can be evolved or otherwise can provide the congenial conditions for the existing breeds.
5.         Soil formation:- Soil formation process depends on the climatic factors like temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind etc thus climate is a major factor in soil formation and development.

OBSERVATION
1.   During the practical, it was pointed out that meteorological station should be sited in a free and away from tall buildings and trees to avoid obstruction.
2.   It was also pointed out the environment will be totally saturated when the dry bulb and wet bulb thermometer reads the same value of temperature.
3.    Also, during the practical the wind vane gave a result of North-west.
4.    Some readings where also taken to help the students understand the aim of the practical more.

CONCLUSION
Analysis and interpretation of metrological and climate data has helped to access the effect of climate/weather conditions on crop management practices and crop adaptation, also on livestock management.
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