The Agricultural Sky: A Concept to Revolutionize Farming

The agricultural sky is a dominant natural entity that has influenced, interacted with, and guided the evolution of crops, farming practices, and cropping systems. This volume helps us to better understand the importance of the sky above crop fields, with the goal to encourage revolutionary agronomic procedures that lead to higher yield. It discusses wind and solar power generation in the agrarian sky and explores aeroponics to revolutionize crop production. Examples from the North American Great Plains, Pampas of Argentina, Sahelian production zones of West Africa, and Indo-Gangetic Plains are included.

Format: Hardback
Length: 590 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2023
Publisher: Apple Academic Press Inc.

The agricultural sky, a dominant natural force, has profoundly influenced, interacted with, and guided the evolution of crops, farming practices, and cropping systems. The entirety of the sky, both above and near agricultural areas, holds immense significance for agricultural enterprises, alongside soils, water, and crop species. The seemingly clear, tranquil, or sometimes cloud-filled blue sky above crops conceals a multitude of gases, mineral or organic particulate matter, dust, mist, turbulent wind, countless species of microorganisms, tiny biotic flora and fauna, seeds, insects, and more. The agrarian sky supports intricate interactions between biotic and abiotic elements, exerting immediate and/or delayed impacts on the crops sown on the ground.

This comprehensive volume aims to enhance our understanding of the significance of the sky above crop fields, fostering revolutionary agronomic approaches that yield higher productivity. It serves as a thorough exploration of the agriculture sky, encompassing fundamental definitions, boundaries, and explanations regarding atmospheric layers such as the troposphere, stratosphere, and phyllosphere. The volume delves into the nutrient dynamics within the sky and their profound relevance to crop productivity. It examines both natural biotic and manmade abiotic factors in the sky, exploring how they shape the activities below, including the effects of dust storms, cloudy and windy locations, and high-altitude jet streams.

The author discusses the potential of wind and solar power generation in the agrarian sky and explores the application of aeroponics to revolutionize crop production. The volume also delves into various types of aerial robots, equipped with advanced AI and other technologies, to provide aerial spectral data capable of analyzing procedures, soil conditions, irrigation, insect pests, weed detection, and herbicide application.

In conclusion, the agricultural sky is a vital component of the agricultural landscape, exerting a profound influence on crops, farming practices, and cropping systems. This comprehensive volume sheds light on the importance of the sky above crop fields, encouraging innovative agronomic approaches and highlighting the potential of advanced technologies to optimize crop productivity. By understanding the complex interactions between the sky and the agricultural environment, we can strive towards a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.

Weight: 1290g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781774911648