Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring

The objective of this study was to demonstrate how degree-days can be used in decision making and crop monitoring. The results obtained include monthly mean degree-days total, cumulative monthly degree-days , mean annual cumulative degree-day map and graphs, mean monthly temperature graphs for selec...

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Main Author: Shoko, Kampion
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Midlands State University 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11408/560
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author Shoko, Kampion
author_facet Shoko, Kampion
author_sort Shoko, Kampion
collection DSpace
description The objective of this study was to demonstrate how degree-days can be used in decision making and crop monitoring. The results obtained include monthly mean degree-days total, cumulative monthly degree-days , mean annual cumulative degree-day map and graphs, mean monthly temperature graphs for selected stations and the Beitbridge example that illustrates the use of degree-days as a decision making tool in agriculture. The cumulative degree-day map shows the magnitude and temporal distribution of heat units for Zimbabwe. The graphs show high values of degree-days in the low lying areas decreasing with altitude. Near zero values are found over the Eastern Highlands. This means that for base temperature 18 ° C, temperate crops are unsuitable for this area. Values of 2000 and more degree-days in the low lying areas mean that tropical crops can be grown in these areas all year round. The middle and high velds can only support tropical crops in the summer season. The map drawn goes further to confirm this trend. The example graph for Beitbridge illustrates how to determine dates for attainment of critical phenological stages and harvesting using degree-days where warmth is the only limiting factor.
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spelling ir-11408-5602022-06-27T13:49:06Z Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring Shoko, Kampion Decision making Crop monitoring The objective of this study was to demonstrate how degree-days can be used in decision making and crop monitoring. The results obtained include monthly mean degree-days total, cumulative monthly degree-days , mean annual cumulative degree-day map and graphs, mean monthly temperature graphs for selected stations and the Beitbridge example that illustrates the use of degree-days as a decision making tool in agriculture. The cumulative degree-day map shows the magnitude and temporal distribution of heat units for Zimbabwe. The graphs show high values of degree-days in the low lying areas decreasing with altitude. Near zero values are found over the Eastern Highlands. This means that for base temperature 18 ° C, temperate crops are unsuitable for this area. Values of 2000 and more degree-days in the low lying areas mean that tropical crops can be grown in these areas all year round. The middle and high velds can only support tropical crops in the summer season. The map drawn goes further to confirm this trend. The example graph for Beitbridge illustrates how to determine dates for attainment of critical phenological stages and harvesting using degree-days where warmth is the only limiting factor. 2015-03-13T13:54:45Z 2015-03-13T13:54:45Z 2006 Article 1815-9036 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/560 en The Dyke;Vol.2;No.2.2 p. 15-32 open Midlands State University
spellingShingle Decision making
Crop monitoring
Shoko, Kampion
Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title_full Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title_fullStr Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title_full_unstemmed Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title_short Degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
title_sort degree-days as a tool in decision making and crop monitoring
topic Decision making
Crop monitoring
url http://hdl.handle.net/11408/560
work_keys_str_mv AT shokokampion degreedaysasatoolindecisionmakingandcropmonitoring