Effect of Breaks and Dry Spell Occurrence on Moisture Effectiveness in Minna, Niger State. 57th Annual conference of the Association of Nigerian

Abstract

The performance of any rainfall season depends on not just the amount of rainfall received, but also on the seasonal distribution which signify the need categorize moisture stress (breaks and dry spell) and its on moisture effectiveness in such season. This study examined the effects of break occurrences on the intra-seasonal characteristics of rainy seasons in Minna, Niger State. Daily rainfall records of fifteen (15) years (2000-2014) were analyzed using Intra-seasonal Rainfall Monitoring Index (IRMI) to derived onset and cessation dates, break frequencies, dry spell and drought. The result showed that the average number of break occurrence per each rainy season in Minna is 7 breaks per season with the highest record of 12 breaks in the year 2005 while the least recorded occurrence within the period under review is 4 breaks which occurred in 2011 and 2012. The frequency of breaks occurrence within the 15 years period produced a total of 6 dry spells, with the year 2005 accounting for 3 of the dry spells and a single record of mild drought was recorded in May the same year. Also, the result signals the potential of IRMI in capturing breaks, dry spell and drought during the growing season. Generally, breaks and dry spell plays significant role in the seasonal moisture effectiveness as prolonged cases of breaks and dry spell constitute seasonal hazard to crops development as soil moisture will decline and may eventually dry up which could lead to crop failure. This is an indication for the development and adoption of crop species that are resistance to moisture stress for sustainable crop production and enhance livelihood.