Estudio del impacto de la variabilidad climática sobre el rendimiento del cultivo de maíz en Ecuador

Abstract

Ecuador requires to improve maize yield. However, it is a challenge with a changing climate and with a lack of knowledge about the relationship between maize yield and climatic patterns. In this context, a data base was built with maize yields, and climatic variables, during 2001-2015. The aim was to access the relationship among variables, using statistical tools. Results show that precipitation has an inverse relationship with associated maize yields. While, maximum and minimum temperature have different relationships with maize yields. Additionally, it was found that climatic variables explain maize yield variability in 48,49% for soft alone maize and in 46,18% for hard alone maize. On the other hand, climate explains 61,56% of yield variability for hard associated maize but only 32,68% for soft associated maize. Therefore, soft associated maize yield variability could be better explained by other non-climatic factors. Finally, the most vulnerable maize yields, against climate, can be found in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura, Cotopaxi and Bolívar for soft alone maize, soft associated maize, hard alone maize and hard associated maize, respectively.