Harpal S. Mavi, PhD Graeme J. Tupper, MAgSc, DipEd Agrometeorology Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture Pre-publication his book will be of great help to REVIEWS, “T students, scientists, and research COMMENTARIES, workers. It provides vast information EVALUATIONS . on the importance, availability, and general use of meteorological data/ser- avi and Tupper are to be con- vices in connection with the planning “Mgratulated for producing a very of agricultural investment and devel- wide-ranging book that delivers an opment projects. The authors have done information-rich overview of applica- a commendable job by collecting the tions and contemporary issues faced by latest information on existing meteoro- agrometeorology. They have focused logical scenarios for project implemen- on the explanation and application of tation as well as for future planning principles, often through the presenta- concerning additional investment in tion of real and practical examples, ren- dering the contents accessible to a broad development projects. Many books and audience. This book should prove a journals contain fragmented informa- useful reference, particularly for spe- tion on these topics but the authors of cialists from aligned disciplines and this book have presented all the infor- university students undertaking agri- mation under one umbrella.” culture-related courses.” G. S. Bains, PhD Stephen Lellyett Professor of Agrometeorology, Deputy Regional Director NSW, College of Agriculture, Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Darlinghurst, Australia India More pre-publication REVIEWS, COMMENTARIES, EVALUATIONS . he vagaries of the weather im- entific literature on subjects that in- “T pact greatly on mankind, affect- clude agrometeorology, the use of cli- ing our health, temperament, and living mate information in agriculture, solar standards. Mavi and Tupper have as- radiation and its role in plant growth, sembled a great deal of useful informa- environmental temperature and crop tion to help readers better understand production, and climatological meth- how weather and climate impact on ods for managing farm water re- farming systems and influence crop and sources. I recommend this book to edu- pasture yields and livestock produc- cators and those with an interest in tion. The book is replete with interest- applied climate science and agricul- ing examples and case studies to show ture.” how better knowledge of agrometeo- rology and better access to climate re- David George, BSc, GDipEd, MAppSc cords, short-term weather forecasts, and Scientist (climate applications seasonal outlooks can improve strate- and education), gic and tactical decision making on Queensland Department farms—thereby enabling managers to of Primary Industries increase the productivity, sustaina- bility, and financial viability of their ag- ricultural systems. Valuable insights are provided into how climate change is likely to impact on different regions throughout the world, and how the im- his comprehensive book meets pacts of such change may be reduced. “T an increasing need for those in- This publication will be valued by terested in climate and weather, such as farmers, students, scientists, policy- agricultural researchers, advisors, and makers, and rural and urban commu- policymakers. The authors use their in- nities in developed and developing ternational experience to apply the countries throughout the world.” principles of climate and plant science to practical management of agricul- David H. White, PhD tural systems—from the policy issue of Director, ASIT Consulting, drought assistance to managing pests Canberra, Australia in the field. The principles of agrome- teorology have never been more im- portant as we manage agriculture that is productive and sustainable in a vari- able and changing climate. This book is valuable not only as a university text his book is a welcome and neces- but also as a useful reference text for “T sary addition to keep those in- professionals involved in the interface volved in agriculture and other related between climate and agriculture.” industries up-to-date with climate sci- ence developments and their applica- Peter Hayman, PhD tions. The major strength of this book is Coordinator, Climate Applications, that it brings together principles that NSW Agriculture, Tamworth, are globally relevant with the latest sci- Australia More pre-publication REVIEWS, COMMENTARIES, EVALUATIONS . grometeorology is more in de- his book provides a wide variety “A mand than ever, and this book “Tof perspectives and extensive ex- will be an important resource for ques- amples of tools and procedures to man- tions on how climate and weather im- age and make the most of both short- pact on agricultural production. The term weather and longer-term climate authors have used their extensive expe- variability. This very readable book rience to harvest examples and extract should be useful to a broad range of principles across a diverse but repre- practitioners from farmers to research sentative range of agricultural produc- scientists.” tion systems. Through an interdisciplin- ary perspective, they have achieved a Mary Voice, MSc, GrCert Principal, Cumulus Consulting, very useful distillation of principles by Lecturer, La Trobe University reviewing applications in agricultural management. The eleven chapters in- clude thorough reviews on how cli- mate and weather determine effective rainfall, on drought, climate change, and on the incidence of many pests and parasites. The book’s focus is on analy- sis and applications, and it is a valuable resource for both students and manag- ers.” Barry J. White, PhD National Coordinator (Climate Variability R&D Program), Land & Water Australia Food Products Press® An Imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc. New York • London • Oxford NOTES FOR PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY USERS This is an original book title published by Food Products Press®, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc. Unless otherwise noted in specific chapters with attribution, materials in this book have not been previ- ously published elsewhere in any format or language. CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION NOTES All books published by The Haworth Press, Inc. and its imprints are printed on certified pH neutral, acid free book grade paper. This paper meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Material, ANSI Z39.48-1984. Agrometeorology Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture FOOD PRODUCTS PRESS® Crop Science Amarjit S. Basra, PhD Senior Editor Heterosis and Hybrid Seed Production in Agronomic Crops edited by Amarjit S. Basra Intensive Cropping: Efficient Use of Water, Nutrients, and Tillage by S. S. Prihar, P. R. Gajri, D. K. Benbi, and V. K. Arora Physiological Bases for Maize Improvement edited by María E. Otegui and Gustavo A. Slafer Plant Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture: Their Role and Commercial Uses edited by Amarjit S. Basra Crop Responses and Adaptations to Temperature Stress edited by Amarjit S. Basra Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens by Jawaid A. Khan and Jeanne Dijkstra In Vitro Plant Breeding by Acram Taji, Prakash P. Kumar, and Prakash Lakshmanan Crop Improvement: Challenges in the Twenty-First Century edited by Manjit S. Kang Barley Science: Recent Advances from Molecular Biology to Agronomy of Yield and Quality edited by Gustavo A. Slafer, José Luis Molina-Cano, Roxana Savin, José Luis Araus, and Ignacio Romagosa Tillage for Sustainable Cropping by P. R. Gajri, V. K. Arora, and S. S. Prihar Bacterial Disease Resistance in Plants: Molecular Biology and Biotechnological Applications by P. Vidhyasekaran Handbook of Formulas and Software for Plant Geneticists and Breeders edited by Manjit S. Kang Postharvest Oxidative Stress in Horticultural Crops edited by D. M. Hodges Encyclopedic Dictionary of Plant Breeding and Related Subjects by Rolf H. G. Schlegel Handbook of Processes and Modeling in the Soil-Plant System edited by D. K. Benbi and R. Nieder The Lowland Maya Area: Three Millennia at the Human-Wildland Interface edited by A. Gómez-Pompa, M. F. Allen, S. Fedick, and J. J. Jiménez-Osornio Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems, Second Edition by Miguel A. Altieri and Clara I. Nicholls Plant-Derived Antimycotics: Current Trends and Future Prospects edited by Mahendra Rai and Donatella Mares Concise Encyclopedia of Temperate Tree Fruit edited by Tara Auxt Baugher and Suman Singha Landscape Agroecology by Paul A. Wojkowski Concise Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology by P. Vidhyasekaran Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms in Foods edited by Farid E. Ahmed Concise Encyclopedia of Bioresource Technology edited by Ashok Pandey Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture by Harpal S. Mavi and Graeme J. Tupper Agrometeorology Principles and Applications of Climate Studies in Agriculture Harpal S. Mavi, PhD Graeme J. Tupper, MAgSc, DipEd Food Products Press® An Imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc. New York • London • Oxford Published by Food Products Press®, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580. © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm, and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing