Science 7 - LAND and SEA BREEZE and its Characteristics
Â
Unit 2 Weather & Climate_response with crops.pptx
1. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Principles & Practices of Agronomy 5(3+1)
Govinda Raj Sedai
Agriculture Coordinator/Instructor
Madan Bhandari memorial Academy Nepal
School of Agriculture
Urlabari, Morang
Definition of weather, climate, micro-
climate, meteorology, and
components of climate
Date: April 7-19, 2021
2. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Definition of weather, climate, micro-climate,
meteorology, agro-meteorology, major
elements of climate, solar radiation and its
photosynthetic, photoperiodic, thermal and
other effects on growth.
3. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Weather is defined as the condition of the atmosphere at
a given place (within local area like village, city or even
a district) and at a given time (short term i.e. hourly,
daily or weekly) as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness,
sunshine, wind, rain etc. It is expressed by numerical
values of meteorological parameters. The study of the
effect of weather elements on crop production may help
the farmer to effectively plan for all his agricultural
activities. Weather is presented daily by radio or TV as
sunny days, amount of rainfall,, maximum and minimum
temperatures, humidity etc.
Weather
4. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
The dictionary meaning of climate is âthe prevailing
weather conditions of an areaâ. Climate is defined as the
aggregation or summation of weather conditions over a
given region during a comparatively longer period. The
intensity and duration of light, temperature, humidity,
direction and velocity of wind, quantity and pattern of
precipitation etc. over a relatively long period of time
(month, season or year) and larger territory (zone,
state, country or part of continent) constitute the climate of
any place. Climate is described by the normals and
averages, e.g. cold season, tropical or temperate climate
etc.
Climate
5. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
a) Macro-climate:
It refers to the climate of relatively large part of the earth
surface, which is observed and recorded by a network of
meteorological stations and forms the basis for the
characterization of zonal and regional climates.
b) Micro-climate:
The climate of extremely small area is called microclimate.
It is the weather condition of plant stand or around plant
canopy or from the ground surface of the plant stand to
the deepest root zone in the soil. It is characteristics of
climate determined by the type and height of the plant cover.
It is influenced by the climatic elements like temperature,
humidity, rainfall, wind velocity etc.
6. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Atmosphere:
Atmosphere is a colourless, tasteless and odourless
mixture of gases that surround the earth. It extends
upto a height of about 1600 kms. However 99% of total
mass of a atmosphere is within 40 Kms from the earth.
This gaseous envelop of invisible film of air surrounding
the earth is called atmosphere. Based on vertical
temperature differences atmosphere is divided into four
major layers or strata which are troposphere (upto 8-18
km), stratosphere (18â50 km), mesosphere (50-80 km)
and thermosphere (outer most layer from the top of
the mesosphere).
7. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Atmospheric Air composition:
Gases Value (%) Weight (%)
Nitrogen 78.088 75.527
Oxygen 20.948 23.143
Argon 0.930 1.282
Carbondioxide 0.033 0.045
Other gases Traces Traces
8. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Meteorology:
It is a branch of physical science that deals with the study
of physical processes in the atmosphere that produces
weather. The radiation, temperature, humidity and wind
movement are responsible for changing the state of
atmosphere. In other words it is a science of atmosphere
and its attendant activities.
9. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Agro-meteorology
Agricultural meteorology is defined as a branch of applied
meteorology which deals with the response of crops to the
physical environment. The living organisms studied in agro-
meteorology are restricted to cultivated plants, livestock,
insects, pests and organism of agricultural importance. Agro-
meteorology also deals with agroclimatology,
instrumentation and weather forecasting.
The field of interest of agro-meteorology extends from the soil
surface layer to the depth upto root penetrates. In the
atmosphere it is interested in the air layer near the ground in
which crop and higher organisms grow and animals live, to the
highest levels in the atmosphere through which the transport
of seeds, spores, pollen and insects may take place.
10. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Major elements of climate
The characteristics of atmosphere are called as the
elements of climate. They include solar radiation,
temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation,
humidity, cloudiness and evaporation. The elements are
recorded daily at specified time using various
instruments installed in meteorological stations.
11. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Solar radiation:
Solar radiation is the source of energy for all the
physical processes taking place in the atmosphere. The
sun supplies virtually all the energy (99.9%) received by
the earth. Sun is a hot gaseous body with a surface temp.
of about 6000oC and emits huge quantities of energy. This
energy is used to drive the process of photosynthesis,
evaporation, heating the soil and air. Sun emits energy
in the form of electro-megnetic radiation. Almost the
constant amount of solar radiation (1.94 cal/cm2/min)
is emitted by sun continuously, which is called solar
constant (energy falling in one minute on a surface area of
one square centimeter at the outer boundary of the
atmosphere).
12. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Solar radiation comes through the space without any
change or loss. When it enters the atmosphere, it
undergoes changes and losses occur before reaching the
earth due to absorption by atmosphere, reflection by
clouds and scattering by dust particles. It consists of
stream or flow of particles. These particles are called
photons. Earth intercepts only a very minute part (1 in 2
x 109) of the total energy. Solar radiation performs mainly
two essential functions.
⢠It provides light for direct growth and development
functions in the plants.
⢠It provides heat that governs and indirectly affects
various physiological processes in the plant.
13. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
The instrument that is used to measure total incoming
radiation is called pyranometer. Intensity, duration and
quality of solar radiation, which control growth and
development in the plants. The duration of radiation
controls photoperiodism and the intensity and quality
control the physiological processes in the plants.
14. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
1. Photoperiodic effect:
Day length is called photoperiod or light period. Day length is defined as the
duration from the sunrise to sunset, which also includes the morning and
evening twilights. Photoperiodism is the response of plant growth and
development to photoperiod or light period relationship. It has been observed
that the initiation of the reproductive phase in the plants is initiated when
certain duration of light period is obtained. Based on the duration of light
period required, the plants are classified as a) short day plants b) long day
plants and c) day neutral plants.
Short day plants are those whose reproductive phase is initiated when period
of shorter light duration (maximum of about 12 hours) is provided e.g. rice,
soybean, sesame, cowpea etc. Similarly, the long day plants require longer
light duration (minimum of 13 hours) for the initiation of reproductive phase
e.g. wheat, barley, oat, lentil, chickpea etc. Day neutral plants on the other
hand do not have any specific requirements of duration of light period for the
initiation of the reproductive phase e.g. buckwheat, sunflower, cotton,
tobacco, majority of maize varieties and some varieties of cowpea.
Effect of solar radiation on crop production
15. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
2. Photosynthetic effect
Solar radiation intensity has its influence on photosynthesis of the plants.
It is affected by quantity and quality of light. In general higher is the
solar radiation higher is the photosynthetic rate. Normally, higher solar
radiation intensity is suitable for most of the crop plants but the
requirement varies with plant to plant, with their varieties and with their
stages of growth. The radiation that utilized in the photosynthesis process
includes the wave lengths ranging from 0.36-0.76 micron known as
photosynthetic active radiation.
Not all the waves in solar radiation spectrum are equally important in
plant growth and development processes. For example the radiation below
0.25 micron is harmful to the plants and that above 0.76 micron has
almost heat or thermal effects only. In the colour spectrum of solar
radiation wave of different colour bands have different effects on the
plants. Yellow, orange and red bands are important in
photoperiodism. Similarly, blue, orange and red rays are important in
photosynthesis.
16. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
3. Photothermic effect:
Another important influence of solar radiation intensity is
in terms of increase in the plant temperature with the
increase in the level of solar radiation intensity. The
temperature of the air and soil affects all the growth
processes of plants. Higher heat builds up in the plants
result in increased transpiration demand. Plants increase
their transpiration demand in order to dissipate the heat to
maintain required plant temperature. Light also influenced
on stomata and their opening and closing also. Usually
leaves developing under full sunlight condition have
reduced size and closer arrangement of stomata than
the plants grown in shade.
17. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
4. Seed dormancy and germination:
Solar radiation or light also influenced on seed dormancy
and germination. Depending upon the light requirement
during seed germination, seeds of some plant species are
classified as positively photoblastic and negatively
photoblastic seed. Seeds of some plant species like lettuce,
tobacco etc. will not germinate in the absence of light
and are called positively photoblastic seed. On the other
hand, seeds of onions and amaranthus will remain
dormant if exposed to light and these are called
negatively photoblastic seed.
18. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
5. Chemical composition of crops
Cool bright conditions favor the conversion of starch into
sugar. Crops grown in sufficient light have decreased
acidity of cell sap, high C:N ratio, low K, Ca and P
content.
19. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Temperature:
The measure of intensity of heat energy or hotness or coldness of a substance is
called as temperature. It is measured in metric system i.e. in Celsius scale in
which 0 is the freezing point and 100 is the boiling point. Radiation from the earth
is the primary source of heat energy. Temperature gradually increases from sunrise
reaching maximum at about 2.00 p.m. It decreases gradually reaching a minimum
before sunrise. The temperature differences between the maximum and minimum
is called as diurnal range of temperature. The growth of higher plants is restricted
to temperature between 0-60oC and crop plants are further restricted to a narrower
range of 10-40oC. However each species and variety of plants and each age group
of plants has its own upper and lower temperature limits. Beyond three limits a
plant gets considerable damaged and gets even killed. Temperature below 6oC is
lethal to most plants. The upper lethal temperatures for most plants range from 50-
60oC depending upon the species, stage of growth and length of exposure to high
temperature. For example coconut and pineapple thrive only when temperatures
are always above 21oC for at least part of the growing season. Cotton, sugarcane
and rice will not grow if temperatures are below 15oC. Many vegetables require
temperature at least 8oC.
20. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Cardinal Temperature:
Every plant community has its own minimum, optimum and maximum temperature
known as their cardinal temperature. The three temperatures of vital activity have
been recognized which are often termed as cardinal points. These critical low and
high temperatures are required for better growth and development of crops. They
differ with the crop, variety, physical stages of the crop plants etc. The three types
of temperature ranges are:
1. Minimum temperature:
Minimum temperature is the temperature at which any plant can continue its
activity and below which no growth occurs. For typical cool season, it ranges
between 0 and 5oC in winter crop and for hot season crops between 15 and 18oC.
2. Optimum temperature:
The temperature at which a plant functions best is called as the optimum
temperature. For cool season crops it ranges between 25 and 31oC and for hot
season crops between 37oC.
3. Maximum temperature:
The maximum temperature tolerance varies greatly with the crop species. Above
which plant growth stops. The tolerable maximum temperature for hot season is
44-50oC and cool season crop is 31-37oC. The cardinal temperature for some of
the important cereal crops for germination are given as under:
21. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Crop
Temperature (oC)
Minimum Optimum Maximum
Wheat 3-4.5 25 30-32
Rice 10-12 30-32 36-38
Maize 8-10 32-35 40-44
Sorghum 8-10 32-35 40
Tobacco 13-14 28 35
Cardinal points of some common crops:
22. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Growing degree days (GDD), also called growing degree units
(GDUs), are a heuristic tool in phenology. GDD are a measure of
heat accumulation used by horticulturist, gardener and farmers to
predict plant and animal development rates such as the date that a
flower will bloom, an insect will emerge from dormancy, or a crop
will reach maturity.
Growing degrees (GDs) is defined as the number of temperature
degrees above a certain threshold base temperature, which varies
among crop species. The base temperature is that temperature below
which plant growth is zero. GDs are calculated each day as
maximum temperature plus the minimum temperature divided by 2,
minus the base temperature. GDUs are accumulated by adding each
day's GDs contribution as the season progresses.
GDD = (Tmax + Tmin) / 2 â Tbase
Growing degree days (GDD)
23. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Example of GDD calculation
For example, a day with a high of 23 °C and a low of
12 °C (and a base of 10 °C) would contribute 7.5 GDDs.
(23 + 12)/2 â 10 = 7.5
As a second example, a day with a high of 13 °C and a low
of 5 °C (and a base of 10 °C) would contribute:
GDD, as: max ( ( 13 + 5 ) / 2 â 10 , 0 )
= 0
Growing degree days (GDD)
24. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Common name Latin name
Number of growing degree days
baseline 10 °C
Corn (maize) Zea mays 800 to 2700 GDD to crop maturity
Dry beans Phaseolus vulgaris
1100-1300 GDD to maturity
depending on cultivar and soil
conditions
Sugar Beet Beta vulgaris
130 GDD to emergence and 1400-
1500 GDD to maturity
Barley Hordeum vulgare
125-162 GDD to emergence and
1290-1540 GDD to maturity
Wheat (Hard Red) Triticum aestivum
143-178 GDD to emergence and
1550-1680 GDD to maturity
Oats Avena sativa 1500-1750 GDD to maturity
European Corn
Borer
Ostrinia nubilalis
207 - Emergence of first spring
moths
Plant required as mention GDDs:
25. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
1. Effect of temperature on biochemical processes
Temperature affects different types of biochemical processes in plant
system. These are photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration etc.
Biochemical reactions are conducted by the presence of different types of
enzymes. Any chemical reaction increases with increase in temperature.
These reactions increase with increase in temperature up to a limit beyond
which the rate of reaction decreases.
a) Photosynthesis:
⢠Rate of photosynthesis is reduced due to reduction in temperature. If the
light is not a limiting factor in photosynthesis, the biochemical processes
associated with photosynthesis may be limited by the temperature. When
maize plants are subjected to treatment of 10oC for 10 days, the rate of
photosynthesis is also reduced by 33% of the untreated plants. Temp. also
enhances the production of chloroplast due to which the chlorophyll
synthesis will be influenced. At low temperature, leaves become yellow due
to degradation of chlorophyll. Temperature also governs the rate of leaf
emergence and expansion. Leaves emerge at shorter interval with increase
in temperature.
26. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
b) Respiration:
Photosynthesis is independent to soil temperature but respiration is affected.
Higher is the soil temperature, higher is the respiration, lower is the soil
temperature lower is the respiration. Temperature strongly affects respiration
within the range of 0-35oC. The rate of respiration increases about 2-4 times for
each 10oC rise in temperature. With further increment in temperature upto
40oC the rate of respiration decreases. Enzymes begin to denature rapidly at
higher temperature beyond 40oC.
c) Transpiration:
Transpiration increases when the magnitude of differences in temperatures
between the leaf surface and adjacent air. Temperature also affects cuticular
transpiration also. A rise in temperature brings about increase in the rate of
transpiration.
d) Activities of growth substances:
At optimum temperature the activity of auxin (root growth), gibberellins (stem
elongation) and cytokinins (leaves, chloroplast & lateral branch) are high &
activity of abscisic acid (growth regulator) is low with result that growth rate is
increased. At high and low temperature, the balance of growth substances
change and affect growth.
27. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
2. Other effect of temperature on crop production
Temperature extremes can be hazardous against successful crop
production. Some important problems caused by extreme high or
low temperature are given below:
a) Heat injury: High temperature accelerates the rate of
transpiration causing desiccation which may result in temporary or
permanent wilting.
b) Cold injury: Cold temperature can injure plants, which depends
upon the nature and condition of plants. Protoplasm freezes when
the temperature drops below freezing point.
c) Suffocation:
The lack of O2 diffusion in the plant roots takes place due to covered
of snow on the field, which causes suffocation of roots of plant. In
this situation, ice in contact with roots inhibits diffusion of CO2 and
respiratory products, which may become harmful to plants.
28. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
2.3 Precipitation and its effect on crop
production, arable land classification based on
precipitation (arid, semi arid, sub humid and
humid), relative humidity and wind and their
effect on crop growth.
29. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Any type of condensed moisture that fall from atmosphere to the
earth's surface called precipitation. Rainfall, snowfall, hail, dew,
fog and mist are different forms of precipitation. Rainfall and
snowfall are important source of moisture in crop production.
Rainfall occurs when temperature is high and as snow fall when
temperature is low. The study of rainfall over a long period is
called climatology. It reveals general pattern of rainfall of a
particular place. It helps in understanding the amount, intensity,
distribution and other rainfall characteristics. Rainfall is measured
by using raingauges. The mean of the total rainfall received
during the past 10 years is known as decennial rainfall. It gives fair
idea of the amount of rainfall of a particular region. Precipitation
helps to maintain efficient cropping system, decisions on time of
sowing, scheduling of irrigation, time of harvesting, designing
farm ponds, tanks, irrigation projects etc.
Precipitation and its effect on crop production:
30. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
The state of soil moisture is controlled by rainfall, the evaporation
rate and soil characteristics. The supply of soil moisture may range
from wilting point (when no water is available for plant use) to
field capacity (when the soil is fully saturated with moisture but is
stilled dried). When soil moisture is excessive all the soil pores are
completely filled with water and a water logged condition prevails.
In such a situation free movement of air within the soil is impeded
and compounds toxic to the roots of plants may be formed. At the
other extreme is the condition of drought in which the amount of
water required for evaporation exceeds the amount available in the
soil. Unless this water deficit is replenished by rainfall or irrigation
the plant will begin to wilt and die. Thus, like extremely low and
high temperatures, too much or too little water is not good for
agriculture.
31. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Rainguage
32. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Different forms of precipitation
⢠Drizzle: Drizzle is the rain of very light
intensity composed of fine droplets less than
0.5 mm in diameter, barely reaching the
ground.
⢠Mist: When the water droplets completely
evaporate before reaching the ground it is
called mist.
⢠Glaze of freezing rain: When rainfalls on any
material or on ground having subfreezing
temperatures, it freezes into a sheet of
coating of ice, which is known as glaze of
freezing rain.
⢠Rime: It is a freezing fog. It forms a thick,
frosty deposit when objects subfreezing
temperature encounters a fog.
33. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Snow: It is solid precipitation in the form of ice crystals of
flakes. Snow is formed by sublimation of water vapour at
subfreezing temperatures. When temperature of air falls below
a certain limit before any water vapour is condensed, water
vapour passes directly from vapour state to solid state.
Sleet: It is also solid precipitation in the form of small particles
of clear ice which are originally formed as rain drops and are
later frozen as the fall through a layer of cold air.
Hail: Hail is similar to sleet, but it is larger in size. Hail consists
of hard rounded pllets of ice and compact snow. It is formed by
strong vertical air currents carrying rain water droplets upward
instead of falling. Due to very low temperature in the higher
region i.e. when the temperature is below freezing, water
becomes ice and falls to the ground.
34. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Sleet Hail
Crop damaged by Hail
35. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Based on the amount of annual rainfall, the earth place is
classified under four main regions.
⢠a) Arid region: That region where annual rainfall is less than
250 mm. Crop production is dependent on supplemental water
supply through irrigation in these areas.
⢠b) Semi-arid region: Those areas where annual rainfall is about
250-750mm and crop production of these areas requires either
farming practices that conserve water or needs additional
irrigation when there is uneven and erratic rainfall.
⢠c) Semi-humid region: Those areas where annual rainfall is
about 750-1000mm and these areas are allow the cultivation
of different types of crops.
⢠d) High humid region: Areas that have annual rainfall of more
than 1000 mm and these areas are suitable for cultivation of
water requiring crops like rice, jute etc.
36. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Relative humidity:
Humidity refers to the water vapour content of the
atmosphere. Liquid water is converted into vapour by
evaporation for which necessary energy is provided by solar
radiation in the form of temperature. Water vapour is
colourless, odourless and tasteless and consists of minute
droplets of water suspended in the air. The amount of water
vapour in the atmosphere depends upon wind and
temperature. Wind distributes the water vapour in the
atmosphere. Higher the temperature more is the amount of
water vapour that can be held by the atmosphere. The air is
said to be saturated when it holds maximum amount of water
vapour at a particular temperature. If the temperature rises,
the atmosphere becomes unsaturated as it can accommodate
some more water vapour.
37. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
⢠Hygrometer
38. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Mathematically,
Relative humidity (RH) = Water vapour present in the air x 100
Water vapour required for saturation
For example, when the water vapour required for saturation of a
parcel of air is 50 gm and the actual amount of water vapour present
is 40 gm, the RH is 80%. When RH is 80%, it means that there is a
deficit of 20 % water vapour for saturation. Evaporation from the soil
and transpiration by plants continue to fill the deficit. It indicates
that if RH is low or deficit is more, there is possibility of more
evaporation and transpiration. RH is very important for successful
plant life and determined the rate of evaporation and transpiration.
The higher the relative humidity the less is the evapo-transpiration
and vice versa. High humidity favours the growth of fungi and other
crop pests. About 70-80% RH is considered optimum for crop
production.
39. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Wind
Air in motion is called wind. It is air in horizontal motion which travels
from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. Due to differences in
surface conditions of the earth and angle of incidence of sun's rays, a
different amount of solar radiation is absorbed at different areas. Air from
high pressure area rushes towards low pressure areas causing horizontal
movement of air. It is an important climatic element and has direct and
indirect influence in crop production. Wind is indirectly responsible for
causing rainfall and changing the humidity of a certain places. Directly, the
gentle wind is responsible for promoting photosynthesis by supplying CO2
in the deeper leaf layer of plant canopy. Gentle wind helps to pollinate the
crop plants, water uptake, conduct proper metabolism, and regulates the
temperature of plant canopy. Hot dry wind is harmful for crop plants
because such wind accelerates the transpiration and evaporation from the
soil causing desiccation of plants. It also affects the photosynthesis by the
closing of stomata. High wind velocity causes lodging of crops, breakage of
plant parts, shattering of grains, flower drops and uprooting of whole plant.
In desert and light soil containing field the high wind velocity causes more
soil erosion also.
40. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Wind
⢠Anemometer
41. Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal (Affiliated to CTEVT)
Principles
and
Practices
of
Agronomy
by
Govinda
Raj
Sedai,
Agronomist
Thanking you