Applied Agrometeorology

1 Introduction1.1. Introduction1.2 Agrometeorology - broad definition1.3 Agrometeorology - 'end to end' information flow scheme1.4 Agrometeorology - applications and use1.5 Agrometeorolgy services1.6 Boundary and initial conditions for solving problems with agrometeorological components2 Regional operational applications of agrometeorology2.1 Introduction2.2 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in Africa2.3 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in Asia2.4 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in South America2.5 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in North America, Central America and the Carribean2.6 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in the South-West Pacific2.7 Examples of agrometeorology services/information developed and used in Europe3 Fields of application in agrometeorology3.1 Introduction3.2 Applied agrometeorology of monocropping in the open3.3 Applied agrometeorology of multiple cropping in the open3.4 Applied agrometeorology of crops under cover3.5 Applied agrometeorology in forestry3.6 Applied agrometeorology of non-forest trees3.7 Applied agrometeorology in animal husbandry3.8 Applied agrometeorology in fisheries3.2 Applied agrometeorology in other forms of agricultural production4 Methods successfully applied in applications leading to agrometeorological services4.1 Introduction4.2 Expert systems4.3 Field quantifications4.4 Agricultural statistics4.5 Monitoring and early warning systems4.6 Decision support systems4.7 Modelling and simulation4.8 Remote sensing4.9 Geographical Information Systems4.10 Other approaches.

From the reviews:
“The book could be named as the ‘bible’ of ‘how to do in applied agrometeorology’ … useful for farmers and the welfare of people … . presents valuable and in-depth information and enormous background knowledge for practical applications in agrometeorology and related services. It can be highly recommended for students as well as scientists, policy makers, persons in extension services and NGOs and others who are active or interested in operational services in the field of agriculture … especially in and for developing countries.” (J. Eitzinger, Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 149, February, 2011)
“The book on ‘Applied Agrometeorology’ by Prof. Kees Stigter is a result of author’s 40 years of research, teaching and extension works on agrometeorology. … The author needs special appreciation for enhancing the image of operational agrometeorologists like me. Should be on the list of all those who are interested to use ‘Weather and climate’ as non- monetary inputs in all agricultural operations. This book must be made accessible to all the countries through appropriate dispatch mechanism by the publishers.” (V. Radhakrishna Murthy, Journal of Agrometeorology, Vol. 14 (1), June, 2012)

Kees Stigter is currently a visiting professor in Africa and Asia for Agromet Vision, The Netherlands. He was the leader of the CAgM Expert Team on writing the third edition of the WMO Guide to Agricultural Meteorological Practices (GAMP).
Most of his active career, Dr. Stigter has been affiliated to Wageningen University. dr. Sigter has served as President and Vice President of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology of the WMO.

This compendium first reviews regional operational applications of agrometeorology in the form of case studies of agrometeorological services and information. These services prepare farmers of different income levels for extreme weather and climate events and for the use of weather and climate “windows of opportunity” under conditions of a changing climate. Subsequently wide fields of application are covered such as crops (monocropping and multiple cropping, for which aspects of soils, pests, diseases, water, fertilizers and labour are discussed, in so far as they interact with agrometeorological factors), forestry, agroforestry, livestock, and fisheries. These fields are dealt with in a way that the contents form the bedrock material for establishment, improvement, extension and updating of agrometeorological services and information under these changing conditions. Operational supportive methods are finally reviewed and exemplified through case studies of their applications in the above mentioned fields, in approaches related to actual problem solving in agricultural production. This compendium also wants to create a renaissance in the teaching (that is education/training/ extension) of applied agrometeorology at all levels, closer to the livelihood of farmers and other growers.

Combination of the theoretical background of agricultural meteorology with practical probblem solving and case studies and as such appealing to both scientists, end users (farmers) and policy makers
Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras