This book, Phytoclimatology and Pest Management, delves into the dynamic interplay between climatic conditions and plant health, with a focused perspective on pest behavior, infestation cycles, and adaptive management strategies. As agriculture increasingly faces the challenges posed by climate variability and extreme weather events, understanding the influence of climate on plant-pest interactions becomes crucial for sustainable crop protection and food security.

The discipline of phytoclimatology — the study of the relationships between climatic factors and plant growth — is central to this book. It explores how temperature, humidity, rainfall, radiation, and wind patterns affect not only crop phenology but also the life cycles and migration patterns of pests and pathogens. Key topics include climate-based pest forecasting models, pest risk analysis, early warning systems, and integrated pest management (IPM) techniques adapted to local and regional climatic trends. Case studies from different agro-climatic zones illustrate how historical weather patterns, seasonal climate forecasts, and real-time meteorological data can be used to predict outbreaks and optimize control measures.

The book also examines the role of remote sensing, GIS technologies, and data analytics in monitoring pest dynamics, providing a robust decision-support framework for farmers, researchers, and extension professionals. It emphasizes the need for climate-resilient crop protection strategies that are proactive rather than reactive, and encourages collaboration between meteorologists, agronomists, ecologists, and policy makers. Designed for graduate students, agricultural scientists, and practitioners, Phytoclimatology and Pest Management is both a reference guide and a practical tool. It bridges the gap between climate science and pest control practices, promoting a systems-based understanding that is vital for modern, climate-smart agriculture. With its emphasis on adaptive management and predictive tools, the book contributes significantly to sustainable agricultural development and resilience in pest management under a changing climate.

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, ICAR-CRIDA, 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 20 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.

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 under the mentorship of Dr V Uma Maheswara Rao 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), and Assoc 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 30 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 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, Dr Surender Singh was conferred the prestigious title of Fellow of the Association of Agrometeorologists (FAAM) in 2024.

Ankit Jood holds a PhD in Entomology and brings over fifteen years of rich experience in teaching, research, and extension. He is currently serving as an Economic Entomologist at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar, India. A recipient of the Dr VD Kashyap Gold Medal for the Best PhD Dissertation, conferred by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, Dr Zood has made notable contributions to agricultural entomology. He has published more than 30 research papers, 20 book chapters, and participated in over 22 national and international conferences. In recognition of his scientific excellence, he received the AMI–Springer Nature Award (2024) at the 65th Annual International Conference of the Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI).

Presently, Dr Jood is engaged in entomological research on fruit crops, where he has developed eco-friendly CCSHAU Fruit Fly Traps for sustainable management in horticultural ecosystems (2025). Earlier, he also served in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, India.

SK Dhankhar has thirty years of experience with PhD in the broader field of Vegetable Science. He is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Vegetable Science at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. With a robust academic background, he holds both MSc and PhD degrees in Agriculture, specializing in Vegetable Science. Dr Dhankhar has made significant contributions to the field of vegetable science, focusing on the impact of climatic factors on vegetable crop production. His research encompasses areas such as agronomy, horticulture, and the development of climate-resilient agricultural practices. He has been involved in studies assessing thermal requirements for phenological stages in crops like broccoli, aiming to optimize growth conditions and improve yield. In addition to his academic and research roles, Dr Dhankhar has served in administrative capacities. including the Project Director and Director Farm in the Directorate of Research in the university. Dr Dhankhar's work has been recognized in various scientific forums, and he continues to contribute to the advancement of vegetable science through research, education, and outreach activities. His efforts play a crucial role in developing sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices in India and abroad.

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.

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 35 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 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.

Chapter 1.Introduction
Chapter 2.Susceptibility of Crop Plants to Insect Pests
Chapter 3.Susceptibility Versus Vulnerability of Crops to Pests Attacks
Chapter 4.Classification of Pests
Chapter 5.Crop Pest Dynamics
Chapter 6.Forecasting, Alerting and Warning in Crop Pest Management
Chapter 7.Weather Systems and Spatial Dynamics of Insect Pests
Chapter 8.Remote Sensing Technology for Forecast, Alert and Warning System  on Crop Pests
Chapter 9.Traditional Methods of Pest Forecasting
Chapter 10.Advanced Methods of Crop Pest Forecasting
Chapter 11.Weather Forecasting for Pesticide Application 
Chapter 12.Harnessing Phytoclimatology for Sustainable Pest Management