Global Climate

List the three major environmental factors that affect crop growth and distribution

across globe?

Solar radiation, Temperature, Water availability

Define Mega-Environments? State the importance for mega-environments for breeding

a broad, definable agricultural region with similar climatic, soil, and biotic conditions. (Can be continuous or non-continuous)

What factors affect availability of solar radiation?

Daylength (Constant near equator, changes w/season at poles)

Angle of incidence (Sunlight perpendicular to earth’s surface delivers more energy)

Atmospheric thickness (lower solar angles means sun goes through more of atm, causing more scattering an absorption)

What is evapotranspiration? What environmental and plant factors that determine evapotranspiration?

Evapotranspiration is the combined water loss from both evaporation and the process of transpiration. Evapotranspiration is affected by environmental factors such as solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, and wind; as well as plant related factors such as age, photosynthetic pathway, plant health, canopy cover, and unique adaptations to conserve water.