Advanced Journal of Agricultural Research (AJAR) ISSN 2367-9816 Vol. 7(2), pp. 214-219, March, 2021. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Effect of rainfall variation on Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) yield in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.

Akagha NU¹*, Onyebule UO¹ and Nnadi CC¹

 *¹Department of Agricultural Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo-Ohaji, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Email:[email protected]

Accepted 6^th October, 2020.

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between rainfall variation and cassava (manihot esculenta) yield in Owerri West LGA Imo state, Nigeria. The study employed only the use of secondary data. Rainfall  data was  collected from Nimet, Sam Mbakwe International cargo Airport, Imo State. Data on cassava yield was collected from Agricultural Development programme Owerri respectively for a period of 7 years (2013-2019). Data was analyzed statistically using pearson’s product moment correlation, Regression model and (Spss version 21) from the results , the time series trend reveled a slight increase in annual cassava yield with R² of 0.0242 and produced a negative growth value of -865.51 on time series trend of annual rainfall. The study also revealed a weak positive linear correlation with R² of 0.021and p-value of 0.964 of  cassava yield in Owerri West LGA within the years under study which is not significant. It was recommended that stakeholders concerned should ensure that other factors such as temperature, nutrient and soil fertility, farm practice and management are duly addressed for maximum productivity of cassava in Owerri West LGA and Nigeria in particular.

Keywords: Climate, Effect, Rainfall, Variation, Cassava yield.