The meteogram screen consists of soil trafficability meteograms, spraying window, and Agro forecast. Below, we describe how each part is separated for detailed discussion. The meteograms are divided into:
5.2.1 – Soil Trafficability Meteogram
The soil trafficability meteogram is essential if you need precise data on trafficability across different soil types.
For each field operation, there are ideal weather conditions for its execution, and trafficability is one of them. Based on localized weather forecasts, these conditions are modeled and presented as auxiliary tools for the producer.
The soil trafficability meteogram shows the soil’s ability to support moving vehicles based on soil type and the development of water content on the soil surface (0 – 10 cm). Figure 5.2.1A illustrates how the trafficability meteogram is presented.
Figure 5.2.1A – Soil Trafficability Meteogram
The soil trafficability capability is represented by a dotted line (black) moving through 3 traffic conditions, where Adequate Trafficability is represented in green; Restricted Trafficability is shown in yellow, and Non-Trafficable soil is represented in red.
After selecting the location where you want to check the trafficability, our meteogram will be generated. In the upper left corner of our trafficability meteogram, we will see the city where we are monitoring, with its respective geocoordinates, as illustrated in Figure 5.2.1B below.
Figure 5.2.1B – Monitoring Location
The black dotted line represents the time of day when we are evaluating our meteogram. The continuous black line from the beginning to the end of our meteogram represents the indication for the given day and time, and when both lines intersect, we will have the trafficability recommendation for our soil. If the location where the lines intersect is within the green rectangle, it indicates that we have good trafficability in our cultivation area with minimal soil compaction. If it is in an area illustrated in yellow, it indicates restricted trafficability, where the conditions are not ideal for traffic, and we should avoid moving in the area. Finally, if it is in an area illustrated within the red rectangle, trafficability is not recommended due to significant soil compaction, which could compromise crop productivity.
5.2.2 – Spraying Window Meteogram
For each field operation, there are ideal weather conditions for its execution, and the spraying window is one of them. Based on the localized weather forecast, these conditions are modeled and presented as decision-making tools for the producer.
The spraying window meteogram presents the best days and times of the day for performing this application. Figure 5.2.2A illustrates the screen of the spraying window meteogram.
Figure 5.2.2A – Spraying Window Meteogram Screen
The spraying window meteogram is divided into two main parts. The first part is the representation of the spraying window itself, as illustrated in Figure 5.2.2B below:
Figure 5.2.2B – Spraying Window
The first part of the spraying window has the coordinates (Nº1) of the point where the spraying window takes into account climatic data for recommending the spraying window.
At the top of the spraying window (Nº2), we have the recommendation for the spraying window as a day, representing the recommendation for the whole day. The bottom of the spraying window (Nº3) considers the hours of the day for making the spraying recommendation. The bottom part of the window shows the hours of the respective days to guide the user on the best time of day for spraying.
The dashed line (Nº4) in the middle of the planting window represents the exact moment the user is checking the spraying window and the exact condition for that moment.
Green areas within the planting window represent an appropriate time for spraying, yellow represents a time for caution, and red represents an unsuitable time for agricultural spraying.
The second part of the spraying window meteogram is composed of climatic conditions at the time of modeling data for creating the spraying window. Figure 5.2.2C illustrates the meteogram of climatic conditions.
Figure 5.2.2C – Climatic Data Used in the Spraying Window Meteogram
In the first graph, we have wind speed information in meters per second. At the top of the graph, we have wind direction (Nº1), followed by a line representing wind gust speeds (Nº2), and lastly, a line representing average wind speeds during the day (Nº3).
The second graph shows a red line (Nº4) representing the average temperatures throughout the days, and a dashed line (No.5) represents the current climatic conditions when the user is checking the spraying window.
5.2.3 – Agro Forecast Meteogram
The Agro forecast meteogram consists of five different sources of information to assist the user with information about their agricultural area. Below, we will detail each of these sources of information for a more comprehensive discussion.
5.2.3.1 – Temperature Graph in Agro Forecast Meteogram
The first information we find in the agro forecast meteogram is the geo-localized temperature data for the point where the Agro forecast meteogram is created. Figure 5.2.3.1A below illustrates how the information in the Agro Forecast Meteogram is presented.
Figure 5.2.3.1A – Temperature Graph in Agro Forecast Meteogram
The temperature graph in the Agro forecast meteogram consists of the minimum temperatures (Nº1) for each day within the meteogram, maximum temperatures (Nº2), and whether the respective day will be sunny or cloudy (Nº3).
In the upper left corner of the Agro forecast meteogram, we also have the coordinates of the point where the data used to generate the meteogram is from.
5.2.3.2 – Precipitation and Cloudiness Graph
Within the agro forecast meteogram, we have the precipitation and cloudiness graph. Figure 5.2.3.2A illustrates how the graph is presented.
Figure 5.2.3.2 – Precipitation and Cloudiness Graph
In the precipitation and cloudiness graph, on the left side of the graph, is the precipitation volume legend in millimeters per hour (mm/h) (Nº1). The purple line appearing in the middle of the graph (Nº2) illustrates the variation in precipitation probability in percentage (percentage probability of precipitation legend on the right side of the graph). The columns illustrated in blue (Nº3) represent the predicted rainfall volumes for the respective dates. The blue columns in the graph indicate rainfall, while the light blue columns represent showers. The gray areas within the graph (Nº4) illustrate the predicted cloud cover for the respective dates, where we can compare the percentage of cloud cover (Nº5) with the legend located in the lower right corner of the graph.
5.2.3.3 – Spraying Window
In the Agro forecast meteogram, there is also a brief representation of the spraying windows for the upcoming days, as illustrated in Figure 5.2.3.3A below:
Figure 5.2.3.3A – Spraying Window
In the spraying window representation, there is a bar (Nº1) with colors green (Spray), yellow (Caution), and red (Do not spray). Green indicates that all variables considered at the time of spraying are within an ideal value. Yellow represents that one or more variables are approaching a critical limit, and red indicates that some variables are in unfavorable conditions for application.
To know the time and date represented by the respective color, we should analyze the dates and times located at the bottom of the bar (Nº2).
5.2.3.4 – Evapotranspiration Graph
The third part of the agro forecast meteogram is the evapotranspiration graph, as illustrated in Figure 5.2.3.4A below.
Figure 5.2.3.4A – Evapotranspiration Graph
In the evapotranspiration graph, light green lines represent reference evapotranspiration (ETo), and dark green represents potential evapotranspiration. At the top of the graph are the predictions of evapotranspiration for each day (No.1), and within the graph, there is a blue line (No.2) representing the predicted relative humidity for the next 7 days.
Reference evapotranspiration (ET0) in millimeters (mm) follows FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) standards. Values are calculated based on meteorological variables (radiation, temperature, humidity, wind speed) for a well-irrigated surface completely covered by the crop. The term evapotranspiration describes the loss of water from a vegetated surface through the combined processes of plant transpiration and surface evaporation.
Actual or effective evapotranspiration is the water loss through evaporation or transpiration under existing conditions (atmospheric and soil moisture conditions). During periods of rainfall deficiency, where soils become drier, actual evapotranspiration is always less than reference evapotranspiration (Potential Evapotranspiration).
5.2.3.5 – Wind Speed Graph
The last graph in our agro forecast meteogram is the wind speed and direction graph, as illustrated in Figure 5.2.3.5A below:
Figure 5.2.3.5A – Wind Speed Graph
In the upper part of the graph, we have the wind direction representation (Nº1), shown by arrows. The intermediate line of the graph represents wind gust speeds (Nº2), and finally, the blue line represents average wind speeds (Nº3). At the bottom of the graph, we have the respective dates and times of each day’s forecasts.