An Analysis of Rainfall Characteristics in Machakos County, Kenya

Huho, Julius M.

doi:10.9790/2402-1104026472

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The absolute maximum annual precipitation for the stations were 1383 mm, 1209 mm, 1296 mm and 1203 mm for Kitui, Makueni, Voi and Machakos, respectively, while the absolute minimum annual precipitation was 364 mm, 326 mm, 388 mm and 340 mm for Kitui, Makueni, Voi and Machakos, respectively. This conforms to the results of Huho (2017) who suggests that the amount of rainfall received in a given region differs from year-to-year. Consequently, higher variability dominates the arid and semi-arid climatic regions, which are characterised by low, unreliable and erratic rainfall amounts.…”

Section: Trend Analysis: Annual Temperature and Precipitationsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…It is also a semi-arid characterized by unreliable and poorly distributed rainfall with altitude ranging from 400 m and 1830 m above sea level (Khisa, 2018). Machakos County still falls under arid and semiarid climate, with elevation ranging from 400 m to 2100 m above sea level (Huho, 2017). Taita-Taveta County is semi-humid to semi-arid with mean annual rainfall of 650 mm and average temperatures of 23 °C (GOK, 2013).…”

Section: Investigated Area Datasetmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long term (1901-2016) temperature based potential evapotranspiration and aridity index analysis for lower eastern region of Kenya

Musyimi¹,

Székely²,

Weidinger³

2020

Jelenlegi PhD Kutatások a 75 Éves Meteorológiai Tanszéken

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Climate change has caused unreliable precipitation (P) and temperature (T) changes influencing global, regional and local water availability, agricultural production hence food insecurity. Precipitation and temperature are key climatic parameters among others in estimating potential evapotranspiration (PET). The main goal of this paper was to estimate long term potential evapotranspiration time series using seven temperature-and two temperature and terrestrial radiation-based methods and compare the values estimates within four counties of Kenya. Data was sought from the World Bank database constructed based on CRU TS (Climatic Research Unit Timeseries). The estimates were computed and Thornthwaite method was used as a reference in comparison with the other methods. The study established that Hamon III and Thornthwaite equations gave lower annual PET estimates than the other methods. For instance, in Makueni county, the two methods gave potential evapotranspiration estimates ranging from 899±49.6 mm/year to 1131±49.6 mm/year and 918±76.3 mm/year to 1274±76.3 mm/year respectively for the whole time period. Jensen-Haise and McGuinness-Borden PET estimates were the highest ranging from 2782±119.9 mm/year to 3343±120.0 mm/year and 2040±70.7 mm/year to 2371±70.7 mm/year in Makueni, respectively. Thornthwaite method depicted an increasing linear trend in all stations. Further, the Aridity Index (in our case P/PET based on the Thornthwaite method) varied from one climatic period (30 years) to the other with a large range of 0.3 to 1.2 in Makueni county. The study also established that Kitui county had the highest estimate values of PET from all methods used. The study concludes that different temperature-and temperature and terrestrial radiation-based methods perform differently and give different PET estimation based on the parameter specific requirement. The study is suitable in selection and comparisons of best temperature-based, temperature and terrestrial radiation methods in PET estimation in the tropical, data scarce regions in Kenya.

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Section: Trend Analysis: Annual Temperature and Precipitationsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Investigated Area Datasetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long term (1901-2016) temperature based potential evapotranspiration and aridity index analysis for lower eastern region of Kenya

Musyimi¹,

Székely²,

Weidinger³

2020

Jelenlegi PhD Kutatások a 75 Éves Meteorológiai Tanszéken

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“…e mean annual rainfall is 1580 mm, and the soils of Igoji are deep well-drained volcanic soil [25]. Rainfall distribution in both sites occurs in two seasons where long rains fall between March and July while short rains are received between October and December [10]. In Katumani, the short rains season is drier (288 mm) compared with Igoji which receives 370 mm.…”

Section: Sites Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, a delayed but rapid rate of leaf senescence has been shown to increase wheat grain mass [9]. Manipulation of these traits of senescence could potentially increase grain yield of sorghum in drylands, where both rainfall amount and frequency decline as crops mature [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercropping and Nitrogen Fertilization Altered the Patterns of Leaf Senescence in Sorghum

Moi

Kitonyo

Chemining’wa

et al. 2021

International Journal of Agronomy

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Leaf senescence regulates grain yield. However, the modulation of leaf senescence in sorghum under legume-based intercrop systems and nitrogen (N) fertilization is not known. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of intercropping two sorghum (Gadam and Serena) and cowpea (K80, M66) varieties and sole cropping systems and different fertilizer N rates (0, 40, and 80 kg·N·ha−1) on the time course of postflowering sorghum leaf senescence and understand how senescence modulates grain yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement with three replications. Leaf senescence was assessed from flowering to maturity at (a) whole-plant level by the visual scoring of green leaves and (b) flag leaf scale by measuring leaf greenness with a SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter. A logistic function in SigmaPlot was fitted to estimate four traits of leaf senescence, including minimum and maximum SPAD (SPADmin, SPADmax), time to loss of 50% SPADmax (EC50), and the rate of senescence. Irrespective of the cowpea variety, intercropping reduced sorghum grain yield by 50%. The addition of N increased yield by 27% but no effect was detected between 40 and 80 kg·N ha−1. Intercropping delayed leaf senescence at the whole plant by 0.2 leaves plant−1 day−1 but reduced SPADmax of the flag by 8 SPAD units and rate of senescence by 4 SPAD units day−1 compared with sole crop system. Fertilizer N delayed leaf senescence ( P ≤ 0.05 ) at whole-plant and flag leaf scales. Cropping System × nitrogen modulated senescence at whole-plant and flag leaf scales and sorghum grain yield but marginally influenced other traits. While EC50 did not correlate with grain yield, faster rates of senescence and leaf greenness were associated with high yield under the sole crop system. Overall, N was the main factor in driving sorghum leaf senescence while the intercropping effect on senescence was nonfunctional. Effects of competition in sorghum-legume intercropping and source-sink relationships on the patterns of leaf senescence deserve further investigation.

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“…The farm is at 1,836 metres above sea level in semi-arid climatic conditions with temperatures ranging from 13 to 26 degrees Celsius. Long-term average annual rainfalls for two nearby stations measured 600 and 750 millimetres, ranging between 300 and 1,200 millimetres, with a dry spell between June and September (Huho 2017). Due to frequent rainfall failures, traditional farming systems with maize, beans, and cowpea have been abandoned for other ventures, including fish farming.…”

Section: Kamuthanga Fish Farmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multifunctional Land Uses in Africa

Simelton¹,

Ostwald²

2019

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The multifunctional land use cases presented in this book reaffirm the urgent need to invest in diverse farming systems as we work to develop sustainable, productive, climate smart agricultural systems. More importantly, the research highlights the importance of considering the varying circumstances of vulnerable communities when devising interventions and actions.' Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) 'This case-study approach to shifting patterns of cultivation and multifunctional land use lends new insights into food security. From peri-urban agroforestry to watershed approaches to soil conservation, the book demonstrates the potential of both landowner initiated and state sponsored schemes to simultaneously improve ecosystem services and food provision.'

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An Analysis of Rainfall Characteristics in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract: Rain-fed

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Long term (1901-2016) temperature based potential evapotranspiration and aridity index analysis for lower eastern region of Kenya

Long term (1901-2016) temperature based potential evapotranspiration and aridity index analysis for lower eastern region of Kenya

Intercropping and Nitrogen Fertilization Altered the Patterns of Leaf Senescence in Sorghum

Multifunctional Land Uses in Africa

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