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.DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
A REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY PRACTICAL
FACULTY: FARM
COURSE TITLE: AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY
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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