Climate and Agriculture
Subtitle: an Ecological Survey
By: Jen-hu Chang
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2017
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 320
ISBN-13: 9781315081069
Subjects: Crops and climate; Cultures et climat; TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING; Agriculture; General
Description: "This summary of what is known about microclimatic environments and the effects of climate on plant growth presents a comprehensive statement on the complex relationship between climate and agriculture. The author covers the theory and data of modern physical geography, meteorology, and agronomy within the context of contemporary ecological analysis to produce a book invaluable not only to the student and research worker but also one that deals for the first time with the application of theory to real problems of energy budgets and water balance for the practical agronomist."--Provided by publisher.
Table of contents: title: Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Dedication; Contents; List of Symbols; 1. INTRODUCTION; 2. RADIATION BALANCE; Solar constant; Solar spectrum; Depletion by the atmosphere; Measurements of global radiation; Radiation and duration of sunshine; Radiation and cloudiness; Distribution of solar radiation; Refiectivity; Outgoing radiation; Net radiation; Radiation balance in the greenhouse; Biosphere as the locale of energy exchange; 3. PHOTOSYNTHESIS; General effects of radiation on plant growth; Basic process of photosynthesis.; title: Saturation light intensity and the efficiency of light utilizationPhotosynthesis in relation to temperature; Photosynthesis in relation to CO2 concentration; Respiration and net photosynthesis; Other factors affecting the rate of net photosynthesis; 4. RADIATION DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PLANT COMMUNITY; Leaf transmissibility; Leaf arrangement; Radiation and light distribution within the canopy; Net radiation profile; 5. LEAF AREA INDEX; Basic concept; Net photosynthesis as a function of leaf area index and extinction coefficient.; title: Dry matter production as a function of radiation and leaf area indexVariation of leaf area index throughout the crop cycle; Leaf area index as a guide to cultural practices; 6. RADIATION UTILIZATION BY FIELD CROPS; Efficiency of radiation utilization by field crops; Computation of potential photosynthesis; Comparison between the tropics and temperate regions; Radiation utilization during successive stages of crop development; Empirical relationship between radiation and crop yield; Shade experiments and artificial fight; 7. PHOTOPERIODISM; Historical background; Classification.; title: Photoperiodic inductionRelation to temperature; Photoperiodism as a factor in plant distribution; Response of tropical plants; Practical applications; 8. AIR AND LEAF TEMPERATURE; Cardinal temperatures; The Vanâ#x80;#x99;t Hoff law; Degree-day; Thermoperiodicity; Thermal regime in the tropics; Temperature records; Leaf temperature; 9. SOIL TEMPERATURE; Significance of soil temperature; Methods of measurements and records; Thermal properties of soils; Physical laws governing the change of soil temperature; Soil texture; Aspect and slope; The effect of tilth; Soil temperature and crop yield.; title: Methods of modifying soil temperature10. FROST PROTECTION; The damaging effects of freezing temperature; Frost weather; Heater; Wind machine; Flooding and sprinkling; Brushing; Sanding; Windbreaks; 11. WIND PROFILE NEAR THE GROUND; The logarithmic equation; Deaconâ#x80;#x99;s equation and the Richardson number; Wind profile over tall crops; Roughness and zero plane displacement; Significance of roughness; 12. WATER IN RELATION TO PLANT GROWTH; General effects; Effect of water on photosynthesis; Transpiration; Transpiration and dry matter production; 13. EVAPOTRANSPIRATION; Definition.