Relationship between Climate Variables (Rainfall and Temperature) and Ginger Yield Across the Climate Belts of Nigeria

Rainfall and temperature are very important elements and factors of weather and climate needed in the successful production of crops, including ginger. The relationship of these elements and ginger yield has not been given the due attention in Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between Climate (Rainfall and Temperature) and Ginger Yield across the Climate Belts of Nigeria. Rainfall and Temperaturedata were obtained for the study from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Abuja while ginger yield data were collected from the experimental farms of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Abuja. These data covered a period of 40 years (1980 -2019) and were analysed using simple linear regression, correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results obtained showed thatrainfall and temperature significantly predicted ginger yield across the four climate belts at p<0.05:Tropical Monsoon(TM) (F,12.0934)and jointly explained 45.2% of variation in ginger yield(r=.672and the R2=.452);Tropical Savanna (TS)(F,17.3452)and jointly explained 35.6% of variation in ginger yield (r = .597 and R2= .356);Warm Semi-Arid (WSA) (F,24.9501)and jointly explained 20.9% of variation in ginger yield (r= .457 and R2= .209); and Warm Desert (WD)(F,29.8517) and jointly explained 30.1% of variation in ginger yield(r =.549 and R2= .301).Based on these results, it is concluded here that there is a significant relationship between rainfall and temperature and ginger yields over the years and across the climate belts. The study recommends among others that planting and harvesting of ginger by farmers should align with the seasons as found in each of the four climate belts.