MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY ON THE THREE DIFFERENT CLIMATE REGION
IN SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Risma Neswati, Christianto Lopulisa
Department of Soil Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Phone (fax) +62-411 587076 (riesma76@yahoo.com)
ABSTRACT
Maize shows tolerance to a wide range of climate environmental conditions. The primary
aim of this study is to assess the correlation between climate characteristics and maize yields
in the humid tropics of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study area covers various climate
types throughout South Sulawesi where maize is cultivated. Ten year meteorological data
used in this study were collected from eleven climatology stations. Maize yield data were
collected from 61 sites of farmer’s maize cropping rainfed plot. Data of maize yield were
correlated to climate characteristics as well as climate indices with Pearson correlation.
Climate indices was determined using Square Root method. The highest average
productivity can be found in the southern region with relatively dry climate (E type), while
the lowest productivity is in the northern region with relatively wet (humid) (A type). There
is strong indication that climate type of A (humid, no dry month) have a lower maize yield
compared to those which have 2 – 4 dried month (D and E). The precipitation of growing
cycle, actual sunshine hour (development and maturation stage) and climate indices show
significant correlation with maize yield on the three different climate region of South
Sulawesi (with R2=0.515).
Keywords: climate region, humid tropics, south sulawesi
1.
Introduction
Beside management practices, maize production depends on environmental conditions. The
main environmental factors influencing maize growth are precipitation, moisture, temperature and
solar radiation. Maize shows tolerance to a wide range of climate environmental conditions. South
Sulawesi, one of the major food-producing province in the eastern part of Indonesia produces a
large part of maize and has varied climate. According to the Oldeman criteria (1977), the climate
in South Sulawesi is classified as A, B1, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, and E3 (Fig.1). Average of maize
production in South Sulawesi varies in the range of 3-5 tons/ha.
Sulawesi Island
Indonesian Archipelago
Fig. 1. Agroclimatic map of South Sulawesi (Oldeman and Darmiyati, 1977)
2.
Material and Methods
The study area covers various climate types throughout South Sulawesi where maize is
cultivated. Ten year meteorological data used in this study were collected from eleven climatology
stations to determine rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and sunshine hour that have different
climate type were Jeneponto District (E), Bulukumba District (D), Wajo District (D/E) and East
Luwu (A/B1). Maize yield data were collected from 61 sites of farmer’s maize cropping rainfed
plot (Jeneponto 16 sites, Bulukumba 26 Sites, Wajo 10 sites and East Luwu 6 sites). Data of maize
yield were correlated to climate characteristics as well as climate indices with Pearson correlation
(SPSS ver 16). To estimate maize production, using RPP_DAICROS method (Radiation-Thermal
Production Potential) by Verdoodt and Van Ranst (2003). Climate indices was determined using
Square Root method by Khiddir with using equation (1).
𝐴
𝐵
𝐶
𝐼𝑐 = 𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑥 √100 𝑥 100 𝑥 100 𝑥 …...................................................(1)
Where Ic= Climate indices ; R min = Minimum climate rating; A, B, ..= Other climate ratings beside the minimum
rating.
3.
Result and Discussion
According to RPP_DAICROS methods, estimated maize yield in the study area ranges from
5.21 to 7.79 tons/ha. The highest average productivity can be found in the southern region with
relatively dry climate (E type), while the lowest productivity is in the northern region with
relatively wet (humid) (A type). It was found that significant correlation between precipitation of
growing cycle, actual sunshine hour (development and maturation stage) and climate indices with
maize yield more specifically to climate indices (Fig. 2). More over, there is strong indication that
climate type of A (humid, no dry month) have a lower maize yield compared to those which have
2 – 4 dried month (D, E). Optimum rainfall of growing cycle at 700 – 900 mm, actual sunshine
hour at development and maturation stage were 0.50 – 0.55 and 0.6 – 0.65 respectively. In more
recently study, Sowunmi and Akintola (2009); Nielsen et al. (2010) showed that variability of
maize yield greatly influenced by the precipitation in optimal range. Fakorede and Opeke (1985)
also reported that sunshine hour have a strong correlation with maize yield in the tropical rainforest
location.
a
b
c
d
Fig. 2. The relationship between precipitation of growing cycle (a); n/N developing
stage (b); n/N mature stage (c); climate indices (d); with maize yield in the study area
4.
Conclusions
There is strong indication that climate type of A (humid, no dry month) have a lower maize
yield compared to those which have 2 – 4 dried month (D and E). The precipitation of growing
cycle, actual sunshine hour (development and maturation stage) and climate indices show
significant correlation with maize yield on the three different climate region of South Sulawesi.
References
Oldeman, L.R, Darmiyati, S. 1977. The Agroclimatic Map of Sulawesi. Contr.Centr. Res. Ins.
Agric. Bogor. No. 33. 30p+map.
Fakorede, M. A. B, Opeke, B. O. 1985. Weather Factors Affecting the Response of Maize to
Planting Dates in a Tropical Rainforest Location. Experimental Agriculture, Volume 21.
Pp.31-40.
Nielsen, D.C., A.D. Halvorson., M. F. Vigil. 2010. Critical Precipitation Period for Dryland
Maize Production. Field Crops Research. 118. p.259-263.
Sowunmi, F. A., Akintola, J, O. 2010. Effect of Climatic Variability on Maize Production in
Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences 2(1):19-30.
Verdoodt, A., E. Van Ranst. 2003. Land Evaluation for Agricultural Production in the Tropics.
A Two Level Crop Growth Model for Annual Crops. Laboratory of Soil Science. Ghent
University. Gent. p.254.