Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield under rainfed conditions in sub-humid Ghana

Fosu-Mensah, Benedicta (2013). Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield under rainfed conditions in sub-humid Ghana. UNU-INRA Working Paper. UNU-INRA.

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UNU-INRA Working Papers

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  • Sub-type Research report
    Author Fosu-Mensah, Benedicta
    Title Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield under rainfed conditions in sub-humid Ghana
    Series Title UNU-INRA Working Paper
    Volume/Issue No. 1
    Publication Date 2013-03-01
    Place of Publication Ghana
    Publisher UNU-INRA
    Pages 38
    Language eng
    Abstract Climate change and variability pose a serious threat to food production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The projected changes in spatio-temporal patterns of rainfall and temperature are likely to affect water and nutrients availability, crop growth, and yield. This paper presents the simulated effects of climate change on maize (Zea mays L.) yield under rainfed conditions in Ejura, Ghana, known as one of the major food baskets of the country. Experimental data from maize grown under various nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) regimes in the 2008 major and minor seasons at two sites in Ejura were used to set parameters for and evaluate the cropping systems model APSIM. Daily climatic data for the period 2030-2050 under the scenarios A1B* and B1** (2030-2050) were obtained from the regional mesoscale model MM5. Assessment of the impact of climate change on the onset of the rainy season (ORS) suggested a likely six-week shift in the onset of the rainy season from week 3 of March (1980-2000) to week 2 of May for simulated data. This six-week delay in sowing resulted in a significant yield reduction and a significant increase in yield variability under both scenarios. Potential adaptation measures include early planting, introduction of fallow rotation and supplemental irrigation.
    UNBIS Thesaurus NITROGEN
    MAIZE
    PHOSPHORUS
    Keyword Simulation
    Modelling
    Nitrogen
    Phosphorus
    Sowing date
    Maize
    Climate change
    Copyright Holder United Nations University
    Copyright Year 2013
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISBN 9789988633721
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    Created: Fri, 31 Jan 2014, 16:19:43 JST by Conor McTernan on behalf of UNU INRA