Assessment of Onset Dates, Cessation Dates and Length of Growing Season in Parts of Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the onset dates, cessation dates and length of growing season in Katsina, Kaita and Jibia
Local Government Areas of Katsina State, Nigeria. The characterization of these parameters was based on daily
rainfall records spanning over 1981 – 2010. Methods used for investigation include the ogive cumulative pentad
rainfall, trend lines and linear trend line equations. Results obtained indicate later onset dates and later cessation
dates of rains during the study period. An increasing trend was observed in the length of growing season in the
same period. Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that early maturing seed varieties should be provided to
farmers before onset dates of planting. Taking this measure will no doubt be a way forward to our source of
security in Katsina State.