Crop Weather Modeling provides a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the principles, techniques, and applications of crop weather models in modern agriculture. The book highlights the critical role of weather and climate in influencing crop growth, productivity, and agricultural sustainability. It traces the evolution of crop weather modelling from empirical approaches to advanced process-based simulation models such as DSSAT, APSIM, CropSyst, and InfoCrop. Special emphasis is placed on the integration of remote sensing, climate analysis, and agrometeorological advisory systems for precision agriculture and climate-resilient farming.

Designed in alignment with the ICAR postgraduate syllabus in Agricultural Meteorology, the book serves as an ideal academic and practical resource for students, researchers, academicians, and agricultural professionals. Combining theoretical foundations with practical applications, it addresses contemporary challenges related to climate variability, crop forecasting, and sustainable agricultural planning. The volume aims to strengthen scientific understanding and support data-driven decision-making for resilient and productive agricultural systems.

Prabhjyot-Kaur brings over three decades of distinguished experience in the field of Agricultural Meteorology, holding both MSc and PhD degrees in this domain. Throughout her career at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, she has made significant contributions across teaching, research, extension, and administration — serving in key roles such as Principal Scientist and Head, Scheme Incharge and Scientist in the discipline of Agrometeorology. Her doctoral research earned her the prestigious Dr PD Mistry Award for excellence in Agricultural Meteorology. Dr. Kaur’s pioneering work on the application of crop simulation models to address real-world agricultural challenges has been widely recognized, enabling her to secure competitive research funding from premier national agencies including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Department of Science & Technology. Over the years, she has successfully led and completed thirteen research projects. Her expertise was also acknowledged by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, which invited her to contribute to India’s Second National Communication (NATCOM-II) to the UNFCCC, supported through M/s Winrock International, New Delhi. As a leader, she guided her team to achieve the “Best AICRPAM Centre” Award (2015–16), a testament to her dedication and leadership in advancing agrometeorological research and its practical applications for sustainable agriculture. She has an impressive academic record with over 220 peer-reviewed research publications to her credit, along with authored books, numerous book chapters, research bulletins, teaching manuals, and popular science articles. A dedicated contributor to scientific and academic advancement, she is a life member of several prestigious professional bodies including the Association of Agrometeorologists, the Indian Meteorological Society and the Indian Society of Agro-Physics. Dr Kaur has played a pivotal role in organizing national and regional trainings, workshops, and capacitybuilding programs in Agrometeorology, and has actively led awareness initiatives on climate change for diverse stakeholder groups. As a passionate teacher and mentor, she has guided numerous postgraduate students, many of whom now hold good positions across India in research, academia, and development sectors. In recognition of her outstanding contributions and lasting impact on the field of agrometeorological science, Dr Kaur was conferred the prestigious title of Fellow of the Association of Agrometeorologists (FAAM) in 2021.

Surender Singh brings with him over thirty-five years of distinguished experience in the field of agrometeorology, marked by excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and academic administration. He earned his PhD in Agrometeorology and has served in various esteemed capacities at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India including Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Senior Scientist, Assistant Scientist, Advisor (Recruitments), andAssoc Director (Students’ Counseling and Placement). A meritorious scholar, he is the recipient of two Gold Medals-one for Best Research Work during his doctoral program, and the other for the Best PhD Dissertation, awarded by the then President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. He was twice offered the prestigious UK Universities Vice Chancellors’ Scholarship under the Commonwealth Fellowship Program for higher studies. His international academic journey includes post-doctoral fellowships at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, Brazil; and BOKU-Met – Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Vienna, Austria. Dr Singh is a life member of numerous professional societies, including the Association of Agrometeorologists, Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, International Society for Agrometeorology, Society for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Management, ESPERE, European Drought Centre and SAFOAM. He has organized several national-level trainings, seminars, and symposia in Agrometeorology and allied fields. His academic contributions include over 250 publications, encompassing research papers, popular articles, manuals, teaching aids, and book chapters. In addition, he has authored 50 books and monographs, along with numerous technical and scientific bulletins. He has served as Managing Editor of the Journal of Agrometeorology, Vice President of Association of Agrometeorologists and contributed internationally as Research Collaborator with MARCO (Japan) and SPARC, ETH Zurich (Switzerland). His expertise has been recognized globally, with appointments to the Expert Team on Agrometeorology (CAgM-WMO, Geneva) from About the Authors iii 2018 to 2020, and as a Core Committee Member on Agriculture-Drought at WMO, Geneva for two consecutive terms (2021–24 and 2024–27). He also serves as an External Expert for Research Project Evaluation at the COST Association, European Union, Brussels. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Singh has guided numerous undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students who now serve in prominent positions across India. Widely traveled, he has represented India across the globe in academic and scientific forums. In recognition of his exemplary achievements and enduring impact on agrometeorological science, he was conferred the prestigious title of Fellow of the Association of Agrometeorologists in 2024.

V Uma Maheswara Rao is a seasoned expert in Agrometeorology, with over four decades of extensive experience in teaching, research, extension, and academic administration. He holds a PhD in the broad field of Agrometeorology and has served in various distinguished roles including Project Coordinator, Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Agrometeorologist, and Assistant Scientist at CCS Haryana Agricultural University and under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Throughout his career, Dr Rao has been instrumental in shaping the growth and direction of agrometeorological science in India. He has actively contributed to the development and dissemination of agrometeorological knowledge by organizing and leading numerous national and international training programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives, aimed at empowering students, researchers, and field professionals alike. He is a life member of several esteemed professional and scientific organizations, including the Indian Meteorological Society, The Arid Zone Research Association of India, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Association of Agrometeorologists, International Society for Agrometeorology and The Indian Society of Dryland Agriculture. He has served as President of Association of Agrometeorologists also. With an exceptional academic footprint, he has authored and published more than 345 scholarly contributions, including research papers, popular articles, manuals, teaching aids, bulletins, and book chapters. In addition, he has authored 65 books and monographs, along with numerous technical and scientific bulletins. His leadership and expertise were globally acknowledged when he served as a member of the CCl-ET-IIC of the World Meteorological Organization, Geneva (2014–2017). He was also appointed to the XI Plan High Powered Review Committee of the MoES, Govt of India, in 2012. In recognition of his visionary leadership, the prestigious Chaudhary Devi Lal iv Crop Weather Modelling Award for the Best AICRP on Agrometeorology was conferred by ICAR in 2014, under his stewardship as Project Coordinator. A passionate mentor, he has guided a large number of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, many of whom now hold key positions across the country in the domain of Agrometeorology. His professional engagements have taken him to numerous countries, representing India in various scientific forums and collaborative projects. His vast experience, dedication to education, and deep commitment to agrometeorological research continue to inspire the next generation of scientists and practitioners.

BV Ramana Rao has been a towering figure in the field of Agricultural Meteorology, with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He began his academic journey at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, where he taught Agricultural Meteorology from 1966 to 1979. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and served in various key capacities until his superannuation in April 2000. He held the position of Head, Division of Climatology, Wind Power, and Solar Energy Utilization at ICAR- CAZRI, Jodhpur, and later became the Founder Project Coordinator of the pioneering AICRP on Agrometeorology, ICARCRIDA, Hyderabad, from December 1984 to March 1994. Professor Rao’s contributions to the advancement of agrometeorology are both foundational and transformative. His research significantly shaped key areas such as agroclimatic characterization, delineation of efficient cropping zones, crop-weather modeling, classification and management of agricultural droughts, and operational agrometeorology. He has published over 150 research papers, including 50 papers in high-impact international journals, reflecting his global scientific standing. In addition, he has authored 55 books and monographs, along with numerous technical and scientific bulletins. He served with distinction as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Agrometeorology for an impressive 14 years (2009–2023), elevating the journal’s stature and influence in the global agrometeorological community. He was awarded the prestigious British Council Fellowship (1986–87) for advanced training at the University of Reading, UK. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the field, he was honored with the title of Honorary Fellow (2011) and conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) by the Association of Agrometeorologists.

Chapter 1. Principles of Crop Production: An in-Depth Exploration

Chapter 2. Crop Weather Models

Chapter 3. Empirical and Statistical Crop Weather Models

Chapter 4. Dynamic Crop Growth Simulation Models

Chapter 5. InfoCrop Model

Chapter 6. APSIM Model

Chapter 7. CropSyst Model

Chapter 8. Stochastic Models

Chapter 9. Optimization, Calibration and Validation of Dynamic Crop Simulation Models

Chapter 10. Remote Sensing Inputs for Crop Growth Models and Yield Prediction