AN INVESTIGATION OF THE AGROCLIMATIC POTENTIAL OF THE FOREST–SAVANNA TRANSITION ZONE OF NIGERIA FOR THE CULTIVATION OF SORGHUM

Abstract

The agroclimatic potential of the forest–savanna transition zone of Nigeria for the cultivation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) was investigated. Five phenological stages of the crop formed the basic unit of time for the investigation. Selected agroclimatological thermal and moisture indices were measured daily and processed into ten-day (decadal) averages for the 1993 and 1994 cropping seasons. The thermal indices, temperature and photoperiods were optimal for sorghum growth but, on the basis of the distribution of rainfall and actual water availability in relation to the crop's water consumption, the moisture indices were above optimum. However by relating effective water availability to the indices of moisture adequacy for the growth of the crop, it was found that the agroclimatological moisture indices were optimum during the moisture sensitive stages. A comparison of the vegetative growth and grain yield of sorghum in the study area and elsewhere in the savanna region confirmed the agroclimatic potential of the forest–savanna transition zone for sorghum production.