Meteorology

1. Agricultural Meteorology – Meaning
   Agricultural meteorology studies weather and climate in relation to crop production and agricultural operations.
2. Importance of Meteorology in Agriculture
   Weather parameters influence crop growth, pest incidence, irrigation scheduling, and harvest planning.
3. Weather vs Climate
   Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate represents long-term average weather patterns.
4. Monsoon – Definition
   Monsoon is the seasonal reversal of winds that brings rainfall critical for Indian agriculture.
5. South-West Monsoon
   The South-West monsoon provides nearly 75% of India’s annual rainfall and supports Kharif crops.
6. North-East Monsoon
   The North-East monsoon mainly affects Tamil Nadu and parts of South India during October–December.
7. Rainfall – Types
   Rainfall is classified into convectional, orographic, and cyclonic based on formation mechanisms.
8. Measurement of Rainfall
   Rainfall is measured using rain gauges and expressed in millimetres.
9. Temperature and Crop Growth
   Temperature regulates germination, flowering, maturity, and crop duration.
10. Cardinal Temperatures
    Minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures determine crop growth limits.
11. Relative Humidity
    Relative humidity affects transpiration, disease development, and post-harvest losses.
12. Solar Radiation
    Solar radiation provides energy for photosynthesis and influences crop yield.
13. Wind
    Wind affects evapotranspiration, pollination, lodging, and the spread of pests and diseases.
14. Evapotranspiration (ET)
    ET is the combined loss of water through evaporation and plant transpiration.
15. Agro-Climatic Zones
    India is divided into agro-climatic zones based on climate, soil, and cropping patterns.
16. Crop Weather Calendar
    A crop weather calendar links crop stages with weather requirements for effective planning.
17. Weather Forecasting
    Weather forecasting helps farmers plan sowing, irrigation, fertilisation, and harvesting.
18. Agromet Advisory Services (AAS)
    AAS provides location-specific weather-based advisories to farmers to reduce crop risks.
19. Drought – Definition
    Drought is a prolonged period of deficient rainfall affecting crop production and water resources.
20. Types of Drought
    Meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socio-economic droughts affect agriculture differently.
21. Floods and Agriculture
    Floods cause crop damage, soil erosion, and nutrient loss, affecting farm income.
22. Climate Variability
    Climate variability leads to fluctuations in rainfall and temperature, impacting crop stability.
23. Climate Change and Agriculture
    Climate change alters rainfall patterns and increases extreme weather events, affecting productivity.
24. Role of IMD
    The India Meteorological Department provides weather data, forecasts, and agromet services.
25. Meteorology and NABARD
    Meteorological data aids NABARD in planning climate-resilient agriculture and rural credit support.