Agroclimatology of Vegetable Crops

The book Agroclimatology of Vegetable Crops: Classification and Cultivation is a specialized academic resource that focuses on the interplay between climate and vegetable crop production. This book delves into the principles of agroclimatology with a specific focus on vegetable cultivation, addressing both scientific foundations and practical applications. It emphasizes the role of climate elementssuch as temperature, rainfall, humidity, sunshine, and windin determining the growth, development, yield, and quality of various vegetable crops. Each chapter integrates agroclimatic insights with crop physiology, offering detailed analyses of weather-sensitive stages in vegetables like tomato, potato, onion, cabbage, and leafy greens. The book also examines how climate variability and extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, impact vegetable farming systems. In response, it proposes adaptive strategies including altered sowing dates, microclimate management, use of climate-resilient varieties, and adoption of protected cultivation practices like greenhouses and net houses. The text highlights the importance of agrometeorological services such as weather forecasting, early warning systems, and advisories tailored to vegetable farmers. Various tools/techniques are also discussed for precision planning and resource optimization. Through case studies and regional analyses, the book offers practical insights for diverse agroecological zones, supporting both smallholders and commercial growers. It serves as a vital resource for researchers, extension specialists, policymakers, and students by linking agroclimatic science with strategic planning and sustainable olericultural development.

BV Ramana Rao taught Agricultural Meteorology in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during the years 1966 to 1979 and later joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and superannuated from service during April, 2000. He served as Head, Division of Climatology, Wind Power and Solar Energy Utilization at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan); founder Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology at ICAR Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad (Telangana) during December 1984 to March 1994. His major contributions in the field of Agrometeorology include Agroclimatic Characterization, Delineation of Efficient Cropping Zones, Crop Weather Modeling, Classification and Management of Agricultural Droughts, Operational Agrometeorology, etc. He published about 150 research papers in peer reviewed journals with 50 of his papers appearing in high impact International Journals. He authored 15 books and monographs and a number of scientific and technical bulletins. He served as Editor in Chief, Journal of Agrometeorology during the years 2009 to 2023. He is the recipient of British Council Fellowship during the year 1986-87 for advanced training at University of Reading, United Kingdom. He was conferred as Honorary Fellow (2011) and Life Time Achivement Award (2025) by Association of Agrometeorologists for his valuable contribution to the growth and development of Agricultural Meteorology in India.

Surender Singh has about thirty five years of experience with PhD in the field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension and administration at various capacities viz., Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Advisor (Recruitments) and Associate Director (Students’ Counseling and Placement) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Recipient of Two Gold Medals for Best Research Work during PhD Program and for Best PhD Dissertation (2001-02) awarded by then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Offered UK Universities Vice Chancellors’ Scholarship for Higher Studies twice (1991 & 1993) under Commonwealth Fellowship Program. Post Doctoral Fellow at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; IAC –Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, Brazil and BOKU (Met) - Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Vienna, Austria. He is life member of Association of Agrometeorologists, Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, International Society for Agrometeorology, Society for Sustainable Agric& Resource Management, Environment Science Published for Everybody Round the Earth (ESPERE), European Drought Centre, South Asian Forum on Agriculture Meteorology (SAFOAM) and The Geographical Society of India. Organized quite a few trainings/symposia in Agrometeorology and associated domains at National level. Published more than 250 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters etc. Performed responsibilities as Managing Editor - Journal of Agrometeorology, Research Collaborator, Monsoon Asia Agro-Environmental Research Consortium (MARCO), Japan; SPARC Research Collaborator, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland; Member, Expert Team - CAgM-WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2018-20). Core Committee Member on Agriculture – Drought at WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2021-24 & 2024-27). External Expert for evaluation of research projects submitted at COST-Association, European Union, Brussels, Belgium. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) were trained under him and placed across the country and well settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He is widely travelled researcher/expert across the globe on many academic pursuits. He has been conferred upon Fellow of Association of Agrometeorologists (FAAM) for the year 2024 in recognition of his exemplary achievements and enduring impact on agrometeorological science. SK Dhankhar has thirty years of experience with PhD in the broader field of Vegetable Science. He is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Vegetable Science at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. With a robust academic background, he holds both MSc and PhD degrees in Agriculture, specializing in Vegetable Science.

Dr Dhankhar has made significant contributions to the field of vegetable science, focusing on the impact of climatic factors on vegetable crop production. His research encompasses areas such as agronomy, horticulture, and the development of climate-resilient agricultural practices. He has been involved in studies assessing thermal requirements for phenological stages in crops like broccoli, aiming to optimize growth conditions and improve yield. In addition to his academic and research roles, Dr Dhankhar has served in administrative capacities. including the Project Director and Director Farm in the Directorate of Research in the university. Dr Dhankhar's work has been recognized in various scientific forums, and he continues to contribute to the advancement of vegetable science through research, education, and outreach activities. His efforts play a crucial role in developing sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices in India and abroad.

V Uma Maheswara Rao has forty years of experience with PhD in the broader field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension and administration at various capacities viz., Project Coordinator, Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Agrometeorologist, and Assistant Scientist at CCS Haryana Agricultural University and Indian Council of Agriculture Research in India. He is life member of Indian Meteorological Society, The Arid Zone Research Association of India, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Association of Agrometeorologists, International Society for Agrometeorology, and The Indian Society of Dryland Agriculture. Organized several trainings/workshops in Agrometeorology at the International and National level. Published more than 345 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters. Member of the CCI-ET-IIC, WMO, Geneva (2014-2017). Member of XI Plan High Powered Review Committee of Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (2012). In 2014, the prestigious Chaudhary Devi Lal Award, ICAR’s Best AICRP on Agrometeorology was received under his dynamic leadership as Project Coordinator. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) have been trained under his guidance are placed across the country and settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He visited numerous countries in official capacity.