Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 9/9/63
Robert H. Shaw (1919-2009)
Papers, 1947-1986, undated


Descriptive summary

creator: Shaw, Robert H. (1919-2009)
title: Papers
dates: 1947-1986, undated
extent: 2.1 linear feet (5 document boxes)
collection number: RS 9/9/63
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Robert H. Shaw Papers, RS 9/9/63, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

Robert "Bob" Harold Shaw, professor and agricultural climatologist, was born June 26, 1919 in Madrid, Iowa. He received his B.S. (1941) in botany and his M.S. (1942) in plant physiology. He was a professor of agronomy at Iowa State University for 40 years and helped develop curriculum in agricultural climatology. His primary research interests included the scientific evaluation of how weather and soil moisture affects crop production. His pioneering work in soil moisture led directly to the development of the moisture stress index for corn. This collection contains biographical information, class and lecture notes, publications, and slides. The publications and class notes focus on Shaw's interests of climatology, soil moisture, and crop production.

 

Biographical note

Robert "Bob" Harold Shaw was born June 26, 1919 to Matthew McKnight Shaw and Lois Stover Shaw in Madrid, Iowa. Shaw attended Boone Junior College (1936-1937), later transferring to Iowa State College (University) to receive his B.S. (1941) in botany and his M.S. (1942) in plant physiology. In December of 1941, Shaw entered the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Pacific on the U.S.S. McCall. Following the war, Shaw returned to Iowa and completed his Ph.D. (1949) at Iowa State in agricultural climatology.

Shaw was first employed at Iowa State in 1941 as a junior agricultural statistician. Upon his return following the war, Shaw was appointed Research Associate and Instructor (1946-1948) in the Department of Agronomy. He was promoted to Assistant Professor (1948-1950), Associate Professor (1950-1957), and Professor (1957-1980). Shaw was named Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture (1980-1986) and retired from teaching in 1986. During his tenure he taught courses on climatology, microclimatology, and meteorology as related to agricultural crop production.

Shaw's major research interests included the scientific evaluation of weather factors in crop production. He pioneered the study of soil moisture and its effects on crop production. This work led directly to the development of the moisture stress index for corn. Shaw authored or co-authored over 200 publications, most related to agricultural meteorology. Shaw served on the Committee of Meteorology and Climatology of the National Research Council Agricultural Board and also as a consultant to the President's Advisory Committee on Weather Control. At Iowa State, Shaw developed a teaching program in agricultural climatology, including studies at the doctorate level.

On January 9, 1945, while on leave, Shaw married Adelaide Urbutt. Robert Shaw passed away on February 11, 2009, following a sudden illness.

 

Collection description

This collection (1947-1986, undated) contains biographical information, class notes, publications, and slides. The collection contains numerous publications by Shaw regarding climatology, soil moisture, and crop production. Shaw's class lecture notes include materials for Agronomy 406, Climates of the Continents, and Agronomy 505, Plant Climate (Microclimatology). Some notes relate to his published works. The collection also contains several slides regarding Shaw's research.

 

Organization

The collection is listed alphabetically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Biographical Information

1950-2009

4

11-12

Class and Publication Notes: Agronomy 505

1982

4

4

Class and Publication Notes: Atmospheric Moisture, Water Balance, Ocean Currents, Air Masses and Fronts, Atmospheric Disturbances, Manasa Climate Control

1981, undated

4

5

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter II, Radiation

undated

1

3

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter III, Conduction and the Soil Microclimate

1971, undated

4

2

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter IV, Turbulence and Wind Relations

undated

4

6

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter VI, Evaporation

undated

1

6

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter VII, Air Temperature

undated

1

5

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter VII, Atmosphere Humidity

undated

5

18

Class and Publication Notes: Chapter VIII, Radiation Within Plant Canopy and Plant Temperature

1985, undated

1

4

Class and Publication Notes: E, F, H, B Climates

undated

4

7

Class and Publication Notes: Heat Balance

undated

4

1

Class and Publication Notes: Land vs. Water, Mountain Barriers, Atmospheric Pressure, and Winds

undated

5

16

Class Notes

1983, undated

4

9

Class Notes

undated

5

15

Class Notes: Agronomy 406, Climates of the Continents

undated

5

17

Class Notes: Agronomy 406, Climates of the Continents

undated

4

10

Class Notes: Agronomy 406, Climates of the Continents

undated

5

12-14

Class Notes: Agronomy 505, Plant Climate

undated

5

13

Class Notes: Agronomy 505, Plant Climate

undated

5

14

Class Notes: Agronomy 505, Plant Climate

undated

5

19

Class Notes: Agronomy 505, Plant Climate

undated

1

2

Papers: "Stress Index", "Soil Moisture"

1954-1986

2

4

Publication: "How Much Corn This Fall?"

1948

2

4

Publication: "Bases for the Prediction of Corn Yields"

1949

2

3

Publication: "Report on Corn Maturity for 1950"

1950

2

4

Publication: "The Evaluation of Dew Point in the Microclimatic Layer"

1950

2

4

Publication: "On the Phenology of Field Corn, Silking to Maturity"

1951

2

4

Publication: "On the Phenology of Field Corn, The Vegetative Period"

1951

2

4

Publication: "Temperature of Potato and Tomato Leaves"

1951

2

4

Publication: "You Can Figure Our Freeze Fall Hazard"

1951

2

4

Publication: "You Can 'Hasten' Corn Maturity!"

1952

2

4

Publication: "Effect of Summer Mulches on the Yields of Everbearing Strawberries, Soil Temperature and Soil Moisture"

1953

2

4

Publication: "Stem and Root Temperature"

1953

2

4

Publication: "Studies of Temperature and Humidity at Various Levels of Crop Cover with Special Reference to Plant Disease Development

1953

2

4

Publication: "You Can Figure Your Spring Freeze Hazard"

1953

2

4

Publication: "A Survey of Precipitation and Soil Moisture Conditions in Iowa"

1954

2

4

Publication: "Comparison of Dew Duration on Duvdevani Dew Gauges and Several Crop Covers"

1954

2

4

Publication: "Crop Adaptation and Climate"

1954

2

4

Publication: "Leaf and Air Temperatures Under Freezing Conditions

1954

2

4

Publication: "The Climate of Iowa"

1954

2

3

Publication: "Climatic Requirements"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Comparison of Two Types of Dew Duration Recorders"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Does Late Planted Corn Escape Hot Weather?"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Effect of Fluorescent and Incandescent Light on Temperatures in Photoperiodic Chambers"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Measurement of Soil Temperature with Laboratory Mercury-In-Glass Thermometers"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Soil Moisture Situation"

1955

2

4

Publication: "Soil Moisture Survey"

1955

2

4

Publication: "A Comparison of Solar Radiation and Net Radiation"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Does Last Year's Moisture Make this Year's Corn?"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Dry Soil a Problem for 1956"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Influence of Temperature on Nitrification in Soils"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Rain Making in Iowa?"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Soil Moisture and Water Utilization in Iowa"

1956

2

4

Publication: "Soil Moisture Situation"

1956

2

4

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation"

1956

2

3

Publication: "Cloud Seeding"

1957

2

3

Publication: "Estimation of the 15-Atmosphere Moisture Percentage from Hydrometer Data"

1957

2

3

Publication: "Soil Moisture Situation"

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Effect of the Shape of the Soil Surface Profile on the Soil Temperature and Moisture"

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Relation Between Pod Dehiscence, Relative Humidity and Moisture Equilibrium in Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus Corniculatus"

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - June

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - August

1957

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - November

1957

2

3

Publication: "Variation in Minimum Temperatures on a Half-Mile Slope and Their Effect on Peach Trees"

1957

2

3

Publication: "Climatological Analysis of Freeze Data for Iowa"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Clouds: The Signposts of the Sky"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Crop Prospects for 1958"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Drying Conditions During the Fall of 1957"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Estimation of Evaporation from Farm Ponds"

1958

2

3

Publication: "How Weather Forecasts are Made"

1958

2

3

Publication: "How You and I Record the Weather"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Our 'Usual' Weather"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Rainfall Rates in Florida Hurricanes"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Relation of Solar Radiation Measurements at Ames to Sunshine Observations at Des Moines"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Research on Irrigation of Corn and Soybeans at Conesville and Ankeny, Iowa 1951 to 1955"

1958

2

3

Publication: "Seasonal Changes in Soil Moisture as Related to Rainfall, Soil Type and Crop Growth"

1958

2

3

Publication: "The Air We Live In"

1958

1

7

Publication: "The Effect of High Temperatures at Varying Stages of Growth on Kernel Production in Oats"

1958

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1958

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - June

1958

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - August

1958

2

3

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - November

1958

2

3

Publication: "What is Weather?"

1958

2

3

Publication: "When Will it Snow in the Fall?”

1958

2

3

Publication: "Why Our Weather Changes"

1958

3

7

Publication: "Chances of Receiving Selected Amounts of Precipitation in the North Central Region of the U.S."

1959

1

7

Publication: "Comparison of the Gumm-Bellani Radiation Integrator and the Eppley Pyrheliometer"

1959

2

3

Publication: "Crop Yield Outlook for 1959"

1959

1

7

Publication: "Estimation of Consecutive Dry Days at Ames and Corydon, Iowa"

1959

3

6

Publication: "Evaluation of Some Soil Moisture Characteristics of Iowa Soils"

1959

1

7

Publication: "Evapotranspiration in Relation to the Development of the Corn Crop"

1959

3

7

Publication: "Gamma Distribution Parameters From 2- and 3-Week Precipitation Totals in the North Central Region of the U.S."

1959

2

1

Publication: "Some Causes of Recent High Yields of Feed Grains"

1959

1

7

Publication: "The Agricultural Weather Station"

1959

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1959

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - June

1959

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - August

1959

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - November

1959

3

7

Publication: "Transpiration and Evapotranspiration as Related to Meteorological Factors"

1959

1

7

Publication: "Water Use from Plastic - Covered  and Uncovered Corn Plots"

1959

1

7

Publication: "Weather"

1959

2

1

Publication: "A Thermocouple-Type Anemometer and Its Use"

1960

1

7

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1960"

1960

3

7

Publication: "Part 1: Transpiration and Evapotranspiration of Corn as Related to Meteorological Factors  Part II: Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Corn"

1960

1

7

Publication: "Precipitation Probabilities in the North Central States"

1960

1

7

Publication: "Statistical Parameters and Reproductibility of the Neutron Method of Measuring Soil Moisture"

1960

1

7

Publication: "The Climate of Iowa"

1960

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1960

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - June

1960

1

7

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - August

1960

2

1

Publication: "'Almanac Weather' How Accurate?"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Atmospheric Influences on Crops"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Estimation of Corn Maturity in Iowa"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Estimation of Soil Moisture Under Corn"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Evapotranspiration for Corn as Related to Pan Evaporation"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Low Precipitation Observational Bias at Cooperative Climatological Stations"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Solar Radiation and Sunshine in Iowa"

1961

2

1

Publication: "The Effect of Plant Population and Planting Pattern of Corn on Radiation Interception and Water Use"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Transpiration and Evapotranspiration of Corn as Related to Meteorological Factors"

1961

2

1

Publication: "What Does Weather Mean?"

1961

2

1

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1962"

1962

2

1

Publication: "Part I: Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Meadow in Iowa. Part II: Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Oats in Iowa for the Spring Period"

1962

2

1

Publication: "Spatial Distribution of Net Radiation in a Corn Field"

1962

2

1

Publication: "Symposia on Water Balance of the Soil and Forest Meteorology"

1962

2

1

Publication: "Agricultural Climatology in an Agronomy Extension Program"

1963

2

1

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1963"

1963

2

1

Publication: "Estimation of Soil Moisture Under Corn"

1963

2

1

Publication: "Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Oats from the Spring Period"

1963

2

1

Publication: "Probabilities of Daily Maximum and Minimum Air Temperatures for Ames, Iowa"

1963

2

1

Publication: "The Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Corn and Meadow for the Spring Period in Iowa"

1963

2

2

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1964"

1964

2

2

Publication: "Effect of Plant Population and Planting Pattern of Corn on Water Use and Yield"

1964

2

2

Publication: "Effect of Plant Population and Planting Pattern of Corn on the Distribution of Net Radiation"

1964

2

2

Publication: "Field Plant Physiology"

1964

2

2

Publication: "Prediction of Soil Moisture Under Meadow"

1964

2

2

Publication: "The Climate of Iowa"

1964

2

2

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1964

2

2

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - August

1964

2

2

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - November

1964

2

2

Publication: "Weather and Our Food Supply"

1964

2

2

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1965"

1965

1

8

Publication: "Effects on Corn Fields of Moisture Stress and Stand at Two Fertility Levels"

1965

2

2

Publication: "Estimation of Field Working Days in the Spring from Meteorological Data"

1965

3

1

Publication: "Estimation of Field Working Days in the Spring from Meteorological Data"

1965

2

2

Publication: "Soil Moisture Report" - July

1965

2

2

Publication: "Soil Moisture Report" - August

1965

2

2

Publication: "Soil Moisture Report" - September

1965

2

2

Publication: "The Climatology of Soil Moisture, Atmospheric Evaporative Demand, and Resulting Moisture Stress Days for Corn at Ames, Iowa"

1965

2

2

Publication: "The Prediction of Soil Moisture for the Winter Period in Iowa"

1965

2

2

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - April

1965

2

2

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - November

1965

1

8

Publication: "Weather and Climatic Influences on Crop Production"

1965

1

8

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects for 1966"

1966

1

8

Publication: "Apparent Photosynthesis in Field Soybean Communities"

1967

1

8

Publication: "Biometeorology Today and Tomorrow: Principal Findings of Study Group on Bioclimatology"

1967

1

8

Publication: "Crop Yield Prospects - 1967"

1967

1

8

Publication: "Final Report, Contract Cwb-11160 Climatological Studies"

1967

1

8

Publication: "Light Distribution in Field Soybean Canopies"

1967

1

8

Publication: "Soil Water and Chloride Redistribution Under Various Evaporation Potentials"

1967

1

8

Publication: "1969 Crop Yield Prospects"

1969

1

8

Publication: "1970 Crop Yield Prospects"

1970

1

8

Publication: "Analysis of Basic Ecological Research in the United States, 1966-1967"

1970

1

8

Publication: "Soil Water Evaporation, Isothermal Diffusion, and Heat and Water Transfer"

1970

1

8

Publication: "Water Deficit Effects on Corn. II. Grain Components

1970

3

1

Publication: "A Comparison of Soil and Air Temperatures in the Spring at Ames, Iowa"

1971

1

8

Publication: "Black Layer Development in Corn"

1971

1

8

Publication: "Diurnal Changes in leaf Resistance to Water Vapor Diffusion at Different Heights in a Soybean Canopy"

1971

1

8

Publication: "Effects of Leaf Orientation on Leaf Resistance to Water Vapor Diffusion in Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr) Leaves'"

1971

3

1

Publication: "Evaluation of Stress Indices for Corn in Iowa"

1971

3

1

Publication: "Special Meteorological Data Needs for Agriculture"

1971

3

1

Publication: "Climatology of a Moisture Stress Index for Iowa and Its Relationship to Corn Yields"

1972

3

1

Publication: "Comparison of Several Methods of Growing Degree Unit Calculations for Corn (Zea Mays L.)"

1972

5

3

Publication: "Soil Moisture Available for Plant Growth in Iowa"

1972

1

8

Publication: "Solar and Net Radiation at Palmer, Alaska"

1972

3

1

Publication: "Dew Duration in Central Iowa"

1973

3

1

Publication: "Dry and Wet, July-August Rainfall Areas in Iowa"

1973

1

8

Publication: "Growing-Degree Units for Selected Agricultural Locations in Alaska"

1973

3

1

Publication: "Effect of Different Spring Soil-Moisture Levels on Moisture Stress"

1974

3

1

Publication: "Evaluation of Effects of Weather Modification on Iowa Corn Yields"

1974

3

1

Publication: "Weighted Moisture-Stress Index for Corn in Iowa"

1974

1

8

Publication: "Growing-Degree Units for Corn in the North Central Region"

1975

3

4

Publication: "Reference Climate Sites for Agricultural Technology Transfer"

1975

4

13

Publication: "Reference Climate Sites for Agricultural Technology Transfer (Utah State University)"

1975

1

9

Publication: "The Importance of Climate Change and Climate Variation on the Future of American Agriculture"

1975

1

8

Publication: "Low-Level Stability and Pollutant-Trapping Potential for a Rural Area"

1976

3

1

Publication: "Climatic Requirement"

1977

3

3

Publication: "Combined Renewable Energy Resources (Solar and Wind) for Iowa"

1977

1

8

Publication: "Environment and the Sexual Activity of the European Corn Borer"

1977

1

8

Publication: "Top and Root Relations of Field-Grown Soybeans"

1977

3

1

Publication: "Use of Moisture-Stress Index for Examining Climate Trends and Corn Yields in Iowa"

1977

3

5

Publication: "Calculation of Soil Moisture and Stress Conditions in 1976 and 1977"

1978

3

5

Publication: "Leaf Response to Water Deficits in Soybeans"

1978

3

5

Publication: "Methods of Growth Analysis in Field-Grown Soya Beans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)"

1978

1

9

Publication: "Modeling Crop Yields Using Climatic Data"

1978

1

9

Publication: "Relative Evaluation of Water Stress Indicators for Soybeans"

1978

3

5

Publication: "The Relationship of Evapotranspiration to Open-Panevaporation Throughout the Growth Cycle of Soybeans"

1978

3

5

Publication: "Attenuation of Radiation in Moisture-Stressed and Unstressed Soybeans"

1979

3

5

Publication: "Complimentary Nature of Wind and Solar Energy at a Continental Mid-Latitude Station"

1979

1

9

Publication: "Determination of Acceptable Sampling Rates for Recording Wind-Speed Data"

1979

1

9

Publication: "Leaf Conductance and Leaf-Water Potential Relationships for Two Soybean Cultivars Grown Under Controlled Irrigation"

1979

1

9

Publication: "Moisture-Stress Effects on the Yield Components of Two Soybean Cultivars"

1979

3

5

Publication: "Stomatal Conductance and Leaf-Water Potential of Soybean Under Moisture Stress"

1979

3

5

Publication: "Evaluation of the Management, Yield, and Water-Use Interactions on Corn in Northwestern Iowa"

1980

3

5

Publication: "Irrigation Potential on Iowa Soils of High Water-Holding Capacity"

1980

1

9

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - Fall

1980

3

2

Publication: "Weather-Information Systems for On-Farm Decision Making"

1980

5

4

Publication: "Evaporation Climatology of Iowa"

1981

1

9

Publication: "The Subsoil Moisture Situation" - Fall

1981

1

9

Publication: "Comparison of the Nodal Distribution of Yield Components of Indeterminate Soybeans under Irrigated and Rain-fed Conditions"

1982

1

9

Publication: "Corn Grain Yield and Nutrient Response to Foliar Fertilizer Applied During Grain Fill"

1982

3

5

Publication: "Effects of Climatic Conditions on Stability and Efficiency of Crop Production"

1982

3

5

Publication: "Photosynthesis in Corn in Relationship to Limited Soil Water"

1982

1

9

Publication: "Status of Agricultural Meteorology Programs and Research in the United States"

1982

3

5

Publication: "Symposium on Meteorological Stress in Crop Production and its Countermeasures"

1982

1

9

Publication: "Yield of Indeterminate Soybeans in Response to Multiple Periods of Soil-Water Stress During Reproduction"

1982

1

9

Publication: "Yield, Yield Components, and Nutrient Content of Corn Grain as Influenced by Post-Silking Moisture Stress"

1982

1

9

Publication: "Efficient Use of Water for Irrigation in the Upper Midwest"

1983

3

5

Publication: "Irrigation Potential on Iowa Soils of Low Water-Holding Capacity as Determined by Computer Simulation"

1983

3

5

Publication: "Leaf-Water Potential-Yield Relationships in Soybeans"

1983

3

5

Publication: "Response of Soybean to Foliar Fertilization and Drought Stress"

1983

3

5

Publication: "Soil Moisture and Moisture Stress Prediction for Corn in a Western Corn Belt State"

1983

3

5

Publication: "Spring Weather Pattern Associated with Suspected Black Cutworm Mother (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Introduction to Iowa"

1983

5

9

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the East-Central Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

5

5

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the North-Central Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

5

7

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the Northeast Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

4

14

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the Northwest Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

5

1

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the South-Central Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

5

6

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the Southeast Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

5

8

Publication: "Crop Calendars and Agroclimatic Data for the Southwest Crop Reporting District of Iowa"

1986

1

8

Publication: "Environmental Influences on the Leaf Temperatures of Two Soybean Varieties Grown Under Controlled Irrigation"

undated

2

4

Publication: "Final Report: Research directed toward the Observation of the Dew Deposition on Various Types of Cover"

undated

1

9

Publication: "Impact of Weather on Crop Yields: Alternative Methods of Analysis"

undated

1

8

Publication: "Modeling Evapotranspiration and Soil Moisture"

undated

1

9

Publication: "Water Use and Requirements of Maize - A Review"

undated

1

8

Publication: "Watershed Evapotranspiration Estimated by the Combination Method"

undated

4

3

Slides (119 color slides)

1967-1983, undated

5

11

Slides: Early Research (76 slides)

1947-1956, undated

4

8

Term Report on Climates

1951, undated