Humidity

Is the water vapour content of air

at any time and place
But does not describe the
droplets of fog, cloud or rain
May vary in atmosphere time to
time
Is the Moisture holding capacity
of air
Depends on air temperature
Increases slowly at lower and
rapidly at higher temperature
Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
 Vapour Pressure
Is the partial pressure of water vapour in the
atmosphere

Saturation Vapour Pressure

 Is the vapour pressure when
vaporization and condensation
reached the equilibrium i.e. number
of water molecules leaving the
surface equals that returning to the
evaporating surface
Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
 Types of Humidity
 Absolute Humidity
weight of water vapor in a given volume of the air
changes with change in temperature. It is hardly
used by meteorologists because absolute humidity
varies with the expansion or contraction of air even
though the amount of water vapor is constant.
 Specific Humidity
weight of the water vapor per unit wt. of a given
mass of air including the water vapor i.e. dry
air+water vapor
Relative Humidity
Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
 Relative Humidity
 defined as the ratio of the actual amount of the
water vapor present in the air to the maximum
amount required to saturate at that temperature
 can also be defined as ration of observed vapor
pressure to that required for saturation at the same
temperature.
RH = actual vapour pressure of air
saturated vapour pressure at that temp
 Dew Point
 is the temperature to which the air would become
saturated (attain 100% RH) if cooled at constant pressure
without addition or loss water vapor
Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
Measurement
 Dry and Wet Bulb Thermometer
Assman Psychrometer
Whirling or Sling Psychrometer
 Hair Hygrometer

Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale

 Measurement
 Dry and Wet Bulb Thermometer
Assman’s Psychrometer
Whirling or Sling Psychrometer

Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale

Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale
Hair Hygrometer

Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale

Significance of humidity in Agriculture
 Direct effects: water relation of plant
 Indirectly effects: leaf growth, photosynthesis,
pollination, disease and pest occurrence and crop yield
 Plant water balance and irrigation need
 Photosynthesis:
 Leaf growth:
 Pollination, fruit set and fruit color development:
 Pest and disease occurrences
 Crop yield:

Lecturs Slides By:- Er. D R Bagale