Association of Agrometeorologists

Effect of climate variations on maize yields across Abeshge district in Ethiopia

SOLOMON ABIRDEW YIRGA

The mean onset date, cessation date and length of growing period of the main rain season remained May 5, September 14 and 133 days, respectively across Abeshge district in Ethiopia. The dry spell is minimum during the peak rainy season (June to August or DOY 153-244) and switch upward once more around DOY 247 (September 4), indicating end of the season). Rainy days have a strong positive relationship (r=0.72) with maize yield, whereas total rainfall and rainfall cessation have moderately negative (r=-0.56) and positive (r=0.58) correlation, respectively. Increase in total rainfall caused a decrease in maize yield. However, increased rainy days, length of growing period and maximum temperature will result to increase in maize yield. Therefore, to minimize the effects of total rainfall, cutoff drain should be considered along the farmland.

Climate variability; rainfall; temperature; maize yield; correlation