Elements for Life

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] 54

EATHER

CLIMATE

AND

water information is criti-

cal for agriculture in two key areas, firstly, with

regard to risk assessment. This involves evaluations

and predictions concerning such issues as the potential spread

of plant and animal diseases, the progression of invasive

species and the probability of extreme events. The second

application of meteorological data is concerned with agri-

cultural production system management. Examples of this

include crop and range planning, and irrigation scheduling.

This suite of agricultural services provided by National

Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) has hith-

erto been primarily concerned with the information needed

for agricultural production systems. In the future, it will be

imperative for increased attention to be given to risk assess-

ment.

Agricultural risk assessment is important because of the

inherent vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate vari-

ability, and also because of the direct linkage to plant disease

pests. The availability of weather, climate and water data and

the informational products derived from this information are

also of paramount importance. Its application can help agri-

cultural producers, managers and policy makers better under-

stand the risks at critical points before and during the growing

season, in order to minimize production losses.

Various approaches can be applied to the agricultural produc-

tion system to greatly enhance the efficiency and scope of the

management, and risk assessment of a specific area.

Crop planning

Seasonal climate data such as temperature, humidity or soil

temperature, can be usefully applied to facilitate crop plan-

ning. For example, the US Southeast Climate Consortium used

available climate data to provide early spring planting forecasts

for peanuts.

Irrigation scheduling for water-use efficiency

The US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research

Service (ARS) has developed a water-use efficiency system for

arid areas such as the southwestern United States, the Middle

East and North Africa. The system includes a weather sensor

that is capable of measuring and recording wind speed, air

temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation.

There follow two specific examples of the practical applica-

tion of weather, climate and water information to the process

of agricultural risk assessment.

Early warning for invasive species

P. truncatus

(Giant Grain Borer) – The giant grain borer was

introduced to Africa from Mexico late in 1990. Within a short

period of time the species became a threat to the entire grain

supply of Africa. The International Institute for Tropical

Agriculture, in conjunction with the Danish Institute for

Agriculture Science, developed a climate simulation model for

an early warning system of the potential spread and growth of

the giant grain borer. The strategy was designed to manage the

threat the pest presented and thus reduce the overall loss of

grain. The borer is extremely sensitive to temperature and

humidity, and tends to spread south during the warm seasons.

Advanced and more precise climate forecasts will result in a

more accurate borer risk assessment model. This will improve

the effectiveness of pest management in Africa and enhance

food supply security.

Spread of plant diseases

Citrus canker and wheat stem rust can cause severe damage to

the plants that they affect. Citrus canker was introduced to the

Weather, climate, and water information

for agricultural applications

Dr Pai-Yei Whung, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture

Dr Donald A. Wilhite, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Citrus canker and wheat stem rust