CLIMATE AND THE GROWTH CYCLE OF YAM PLANT IN THE GUINEA SAVANNA ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2009
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Nigerian Meteorological Society
Abstract
The study examines the effect of climate on the phenological stages of yam plant. Both the growth cycle and micro climate of yam plant were monitored in the field for two yam growing seasons (2003/2004, 200412005). The period of the developmental stages were identified and the data generated were partitioned accordingly. Pearson correlation statistics was employed. The most sensitive and delicate phases of yam phenological cycle are root and vine stages. From the result obtained they exhibit very strong negative relationship (significant at 0.0 I confidence level) with all thermal indices but showed very strong positive relationship with all moisture indices. However, the growth of tuber is enhanced by high rainfall frequency but low rainfall amount. Farmers are encouraged to improve on the materials used for mulching to minimize fluctuation in soil temperatures and raise soil moisture reserve.
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Keywords
Climate, yam, Farmer, Moisture