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Agrometeorology seeks to apply the knowledge of weather and
climate to the services of agriculture in order to maximize food production and
agricultural production as a whole. Every
facet of agricultural activity depends on the weather.
Meteorological information can be used by the farmer to improve the
efficiency of his farm assisting him in long and short term planning in the
following ways:
Agroclimatic
Zoning
Crops can be selected to suit the climate of a region or country.
Climate within a country itself can be varied and knowledge of the
climatic variation can indicate the best species and varieties of species to
plant in the different climatic zones. Knowing
the climate can assist in breeding programmes to provide varieties more suitable
for a country or region.
Planting
and Harvesting
Adequate soil moisture and soil temperatures are needed for germination
and can therefore determine the planting date.
The rate of development of a plant is highly dependent on temperature;
hence harvest times can be estimated for crops providing there is adequate
knowledge of the crops response to temperature. Crop Models have also been produced to estimate from meteorological
and biological data the size of the harvest, providing for better planning of
harvesting activities.
Soil
Moisture Budgeting
Knowledge of rainfall and estimation of evapotranspiration
from meteorological data, along with soil characteristics such as drainage and runoff,
can assist in estimating soil moisture conditions.
Such an estimate can indicate periods of crop water stress and aid in
irrigation scheduling and quantities.
Pests
and Diseases Forecasting
Pests and diseases need certain atmospheric conditions for outbreak and
development. Rainfall, soil and air
temperatures, leaf wetness duration, humidity, light/photoperiod
are all important observations. The
importance of the meteorological variable depends on the pest/disease itself.
Models can be developed to use this type of meteorological information to
forecast possible outbreaks allowing farmers to spray only if necessary.
Surface winds and rainfall forecasts can also assist in determining
suitable spraying periods.
Climate Modification The farmer can modify
the naturally existing environment to provide more optimum conditions for plant
and animals. Windbreaks and
shelterbelts can be used to provide protection from strong winds; irrigation
water supplies in areas of inadequate rainfall; plastic houses can be used to
shut out prevailing ambient conditions allowing the farmer to create his own
environment; shelters or houses can be provided for animals; shading can be
provided for plants which need less intense radiation.
Weather Forecasts
Meteorological
services can be a great asset to the agricultural industry of the region,
providing farmers with weather
forecasts (short, medium and long-range), which can assist them in planning
their activities. There is however a need for these forecasts, which are
targeting the wider public, to be more agriculture-specific.
The
text has been adapted from an article by Mr.
Adrian Trotman.
Examples of applications of agricultural
meteorology in the Caribbean. Read!
The
Potential of Agricultural Meteorology in the English-speaking Caribbean. Read!
Development of agrometeorology in
the Caribbean. Read!
Global climate change imposes another type of a challenge to agriculture.
It
is estimated that Caribbean climate is going to change in the
future. Reliable climate predictions would allow the regional farmers and
policy makers to adapt to these changes by developing suitable varieties of the
existing crops or even prepare for changing some crops to other. Learn
more!
Learn more:
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