Maize yield in relation to rainfall and solar energy in Kenya
Abstract
An attempt has been made to relate maize yield to rainfall
during 3 growth periods of the plant and to try to expIain the difference
in maize yield between different places on the basis of radiation regime.
In the yield/rainfall analysis, rainfall totals in the following
periods Here used; sowing to tasselling, tasselling to flowering
and flowering to maturity. Rainfall totals in each period were
taken as independent variables. Regression analysis was carried cnt
in which the following were computed; regression coefficients,
(coefficient of multiple determination, standard error and the var:~-
nce ratio. Using these parameters it was found that rainfall in
the two stages, sOiving to tasselling and tasselling to flowering
were very .important. to the ma ize crop. These had the highest
significance. The rainfall in the flowering-maturity period was
the least significant.
In trying to explain the differences in maize yields between
different places, Monteith's model for calculating gross potential
photosynthesis and Porter's equation for comput ing respi.ration loss
were used on 19 stations in Kenya. It was found that these differences
in the maize yields could not be attributed to i!1adequate
radiation being received in the areas since most of these areas
had correctable net potential photos)~thesis values throughcut
the year.
Citation
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of sciencePublisher
Plant Science & Crop Protection, University of Nairobi