ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the nature of agricultural sky above each of the many large agroecosystems found in different continents. Such massive food grain generating systems experience different soil and environmental conditions. We are concerned here with the specific natural and man-made characteristics that operate in the aerospace above them. The aim is to convince through detailed data that agrarian sky above each large food crop generating region is unique. There are indeed several such large food crop generating regions on earth. Five distinct agroecosystems have been selected as examples to prove that the agrarian sky is specific, distinct with regard to aerospace traits and that sky imposes stringent influence on crop species and productivity. They are The Great Plains of North America, The Pampas cropping stretch in Argentina, The Sahelian agrarian zone in West Africa, The European agrarian plains extending from French Plains till Russian Steppes, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Of course, there are few other cropping belts with unique aerospace characteristics and located in other continents. A comparative study of these food grain generating regions with regard to agricultural sky is worthwhile.
The natural characteristics of the agrarian sky, such as the climatic parameters, namely, photosynthetic radiation, temperature, relative humidity, annual precipitation, seasons, droughts, dust storms, snow, foods have been discussed for each region. The physical features, such as dust storms, heat The Agricultural Sky: A Concept to Revolutionize Farming. K. R. Krishna, PhD (Author) © 2023 Apple Academic Press, Inc. Co-published with CRC Press (Taylor & Francis) 414waves, scanty rainfall, temperature make it more than clear that the food generating systems differ enormously. Yet, our efforts to understand the aerospace characteristics of such food generating regions and match agronomic procedures to tide over diffculties or to take advantage of congenial conditions are meagre. The biotic nature of aerospace above each food generating system is no doubt different. This aspect has been delineated in previous chapters, already. The agricultural sky mediates innumerable microbial diseases (epidemics/pandemics) above each food generating region. These need special attention. Similarly, there are insect pests. For example, locusts are dangerous aspect of agrarian sky in Sahel but not in several other regions. The semiarid Indo-Gangetic Plains produce crops in all seasons. It supports major cereals like rice, wheat, maize, and legumes. Whereas temperate food production zones in Europe, China, and Russian steppes supports wheat, barley, millets, and short season vegetables. The aerospace here stipulates the tropical/subtropical crops that are possible. Agrarian sky perhaps has been more devastating apparently due to harsh physical conditions, dangerous biotic fraction flled with disease/pest and birds. There are also benefcial aspects of physical nature of agricultural sky and biotic fraction that need to be recognized and accentuated, if possible. This is to achieve better crop productivity. For example, practicing foliar sprays, fertigation, improving pollinator population. Soils are being amended suitably, but similar measures to improve the agrarian sky seem to be lacking. Perhaps, at present, it is not an easy proposition. We should still attempt to amend aerospace above crops where feasible.
Overall, this chapter tries to convince that the agrarian sky above the food generating regions is unique. Let us study them in greater detail and try to enhance crop productivity. At the same time, we need to be alert to aspects like excessive fertilizers, pesticide, and loss of soil fertility. We should enhance productivity yet maintain natural conditions intact at levels congeal to fora fauna and humans too.
This is the last chapter of the treatise. Perhaps, it is now clear that we have to bestow greater interest, funds, and expertise in understanding the agrarian sky, in detail. It is time we understood the agricultural sky and its factors better than at present!! The future of global farming rests to a great extent on the upkeep of agrarian sky. Agrarian sky can potentially induce a revolution that enhances food grain productivity, at the same time, can reduce farm drudgery.
