Global length of growing periods

A general characterization of moisture conditions is achieved through the concept of length of growing period (LGP), i.e. the period during the year when both moisture availability and temperature are conducive to crop growth. Thus, in a formal sense, LGP refers to the number of days within the period of temperatures above 5°C when moisture conditions are considered adequate.

Under rain-fed conditions, the begin of the LGP is linked to the start of the rainy season. For establishing crops, 0.4 - 0.5 times the level of reference evapotranspiration is considered sufficient to meet water requirements of dryland crops (FAO 1978-81a; 1979; 1992a).

This layer is a result of the Agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) methodology for land productivity assessments and is part of the Global Agro-ecological Zoning Database.

Date (Creation): 2000-05-01

Edition: First edition.

Presentation form: Digital map

Purpose: The AEZ methodology for land productivity assessments follows an environmental approach; it provides a framework for establishing a spatial inventory and database of land resources and crop production potentials. This land resources inventory is used to assess, for specified management conditions and levels of inputs, the suitability of crops/LUTs in relation to both rain-fed and irrigated conditions, and to quantify expected production of cropping activities relevant in the specific agro-ecological context.

Status: Completed

Originator

FAO-UN - AGLL (ex-FAO Land and Water Division)

Originator

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
http://www.iiasa.ac.at

Maintenance and update frequency: As needed

Keywords

Agroecological zones
Length of growing period
climate
agroclimatology
Tag_LUS
Tag_land

Place

World

Spatial representation type: Grid

Metadata language: eng

Character set: UTF8

Topic category

Climatology, meteorology, atmosphere

Begin date: 2000-05-01

Supplemental Information: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the collaboration of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), has developed a system that enables rational land-use planning on the basis of an inventory of land resources and evaluation of biophysical limitations and potentials. This is referred to as the Agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) methodology. Results are available for the globe.

Data derived from analysis over 37 years.