<b>Behavior of climatic characteristics for the management of agricultural crops in Guarapuava, central south of the state of Paraná</b>

Abstract

The variations on the water and climate regimes are the factors which act the most to limit the agricultural production. The region which covers the municipality of Guarapuava is characterized by a wide potential of production of winter and summer crops, mainly cereals, due to seasons of the year which are well defined and high annual index of rainfall. The objective of the work was to evaluate the behavior of climatic characteristics as rainfall, temperature, relative humidity of the air, sun radiation and wind speed, aiming to interpret its variations and make the information of the management of agricultural crops in Guarapuava – PR available. The analysis was performed based on an historical and continuous series of average daily climatologic data for the period of twenty four years, from 1984. The data used were temperature and relative humidity of the air, rainfall, sun radiation and wind speed accumulated at 10 m of height. It was determined the monthly average distribution of the climatic variables and the specific coefficient of variation, the climatic water balance by the method proposed by Thornthwaite and Mather and the reference evapotranspiration (Eto) estimated by the method of Penman-Monteith, pattern model FAO. It was verified that the months of June, July and August are those which present the lower index of rainfall, being in the month of august the highest possibility of occurrence of water stress for winter crops. It was verified that the average water balance do not present the occurrence of defined periods of water stress. The beginning of September indicates the beginning of water reposition, considering the months of October and December those which present the highest rainfall levels. The risks of lack of water are lower for summer crops than winter crops. Compared to other components, rainfall presents the highest historical index of variability.