ISSN: 2157-7617

Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
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  • Research Article   
  • J Earth Sci Clim Change 2016, Vol 7(1): 329
  • DOI: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000329

Effect of Climatic Factors on Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)Productivity in Benin (West Africa)

Ibouraïman Balogoun1,2, Léonard Essehou Ahoton1, Aliou Saïdou2*, Daouda Orou Bello2, Vincent Ezin1, Guillaume Lucien Amadji2, Bonaventure Cohovi Ahohuendo1, Sévérin Babatoundé3, Daniel C. Chougourou4 and Adam Ahanchede1
1Laboratory of Plant Biology, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin
2Integrated Soil and Crop Management Research Unit, Laboratory of Soil Sciences, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin
3Laboratory of Zootechny, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin
4Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Department of Environment Engineering, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009 Cotonou, Benin
*Corresponding Author : Aliou Saïdou, Integrated Soil and Crop Management Research Unit, Laboratory of Soil Sciences, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin, Tel: (+229) 97494480, Fax: (+229) 21360122, Email: saidoualiou@gmail.com

Received Date: Dec 05, 2015 / Accepted Date: Dec 21, 2015 / Published Date: Jan 28, 2016

Abstract

Cashew production is affected by variability of climatic factors. The present work aims to study the effect these climatic factors on cashew productivity in the Central and North-West areas of Benin. Data related to plant phenology, nut and apple yields were collected in three villages (Adourékoman and Gobé in the Centre and Founga in the North-West) during two production seasons (2013-2014 and 2014-2015). In addition, socioeconomic survey was conductedamong 80 experienced producers (over 50 years aged and over 10 years’ experience in cashew plantation). Quantity of rainfall, temperature, number of rain days, potential evapotranspiration and wind speed from a period of 1981 to 2010 were also collected at the synoptic stations of ASECNA of Savè in the Centre and Natitingou in North-West. The average rainfall and temperature of both areas revealed an upward trend while, wind speed was less violent in the
North-West and potential evapotranspiration was high in the Centre. The season and the area of production did affect significantly (from P<0.05 to P<0.001) appearance of flowers and fruits and also nuts and apples production. In general, cashew trees had produced more in the North-West than the Centre. Furthermore, apples and nuts production were higher in 2014-2015 (6.48 ± 0.05 and 50.72 ± 5.86 kg/tree respectively for nut weight and apple weight) than in 2013-2014 (3.95 ± 0.55 and 39.20 ± 6.63 kg/tree respectively for nut weight and apple weight). The agro-climatic stress index and amount of rainfall in September and October (in both areas), and the number of rainy days (at the Centre only) were main factors determining cashew trees’ production.

Keywords: Climatic variability; Agro-climatic stress index; Phenology; Perennial crop; Benin

Citation: Balogoun I, Ahoton EL, Saïdou A, Bello OD, Ezin V, et al. (2016) Effect of Climatic Factors on Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Productivity in Benin (West Africa). 7: 329. Doi: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000329

Copyright: © 2016 Balogoun I, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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