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  DOI Prefix   10.20431


 

International Journal of Research in Environmental Science
Volume 4, Issue 2, 2018, Page No: 35-41
doi:dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-9444.0402004

Characterization of Rainfall and Temperature Variability to Guide Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) and Barley (Horduem Vulgare) Production in Enderta District, Southeastern Tigray, Ethiopia

Mekonnin Yibrah1*, Diriba Korecha1, Tilahun Dandesa2

1.National Meteorological Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2.Agricultural Transformation Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Citation : Mekonnin Yibrah,Diriba Korecha,Tilahun Dandesa, Characterization of Rainfall and Temperature Variability to Guide Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) and Barley (Horduem Vulgare) Production in Enderta District, Southeastern Tigray, Ethiopia International Journal of Research in Environmental Science 2018,4(2) : 35-41

Abstract

Rainfall coupled with temperature is the most important climatic elements that determine crop growth in semiarid regions like Ethiopia. This study was conducted to characterize past rainfall and temperature variability and their effects on wheat and barley production in Enderta district. Daily and dekadal rainfall and temperature climate data covering: (1984-2014) were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Meteorological Agency respectively. Rainfall data was subjected to compute rainfall indicator indices such as rainfall totals, start of rain, and end of rain, length of growing period and length of dry spells using INSTAT climate guide. On the other hand, seasonal and annual temperature variability was assessed using the standardize anomaly Index. The analysis of observed data revealed that seasonal (Kiremt and belg) and annual rainfall variability was 25%; 55% and 24% respectively. Minimum and maximum temperatures showed an increasing trend about 0.38°c; 0.42° c and 0.62° c; 0.59° c per decade seasonally (October-November-December-January and March-April-May) and annually respectively. The correlation analysis impacts of rainfall and temperature on the crops revealed barley with long rainy (June-July-August-September) season (r=0.7021, P < 0.05) and wheat (r =0.6265, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with statistically significant effect. Similarly, barley and wheat had positive relationship with temperature (r = 0.7136 and 0.6550, p < 0.05), respectively. The June-July-AugustSeptember rainfall and temperature had positively correlated with the seasonal changes in barley and wheat production indicates that the performance of both barley and wheat in the study area mainly depends on the seasonal (June-July-August-September) rainfall and temperature.


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