includes the study of climatic conditions of storage,
whether indoors or in field heaps, an examination of
atmospheric conditions in animal shelters and farm
buildings, and the monitoring of environmental conditions
during the transport of agricultural produce by
land, sea or air.
The primary aim of agricultural meteorology is to
extend and fully utilize our knowledge of atmospheric
and related processes to optimize agricultural production,
thus increasing profitability and decreasing
risk. The proper application of principles in this science
can lead to improving the quantity and quality
of crop and animal production, and to improving food
security.
A secondary aim of agricultural meteorology is to
help conserve natural resources and protect the environment
from detrimental usage. Sustainable human
activity is strongly influenced by climatic conditions
and variability. The climate often places constraints
upon a particular form of land use at a given place
and time. Therefore agricultural meteorology has an
important role to play in land use planning.
Agricultural meteorology, therefore, includes two
basic subject areas:
1. Physical sciences — specifically the physics of the
atmosphere (i.e. meteorology and climatology) and
soil physics and hydrology;
2. Biological sciences — specifically physiology,
ecology and pathology of plants and animals,
and associated disciplines of agriculture such as
agronomy and horticulture.
3. Limitations to the application of agricultural
meteorology
Decker (1994) reviewed the historical development
of agricultural meteorology from the year 1800. Although
the review is biased towards the experiences
in the US, his analysis and projections have application
to events occurring in other regions of the world.
The operational applications of agricultural meteorology
and the specific requirements of the farming
community have been stated by Lomas (1996) to be
dependent on three basic conditions:
1. The availability of a suitable data base and infrastructure;
2. The provision of accurate and timely information;