Variations in Certain Climatic Parameters and Implications for Agricultural Production in Makurdi (Benue State), Nigeria
MO Isikwue, S. B. Onoja, Bernadette Chidomnso Isikwue · Advanced materials research · 2009
This work studied variations in certain climatic parameters, specifically precipitation, soil moisture and outgoing Long wave radiation (OLR) from the earth from 1997 to 2006 in Makurdi, Nigeria. Results showed that precipitation rate in Makurdi deviated from the normal annual bimodal pattern of precipitation in Nigeria. Precipitation was highest in August/September throughout the study period. The dependent of soil moisture on precipitation is highly significant as shown by the high positive value (81%) of R2. Soil moisture content also varied similarly while OLR varied inversely. The effects of the variations of these parameters on agricultural production are highlighted.