Rainy season characteristics for the Luvuvhu River catchment, South Africa

Authors

  • Fhulufhelo Phillis Tshililo 1. Agricultural Research Council – Soil, Climate and Water, Private Bag X79, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; 2. Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
  • Michael John Savage Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
  • Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi 1. Agricultural Research Council – Soil, Climate and Water, Private Bag X79, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; 2. Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2021.v47.i4.3677

Keywords:

cessation, dry spells false onset, onset, maize production

Abstract

Maize is a staple crop in South Africa and is mainly grown under rain-fed conditions. Rain-fed agricultural production is heavily reliant on rainfall during the planting season. Information on rainy season characteristics is of utmost importance as it guides farmers in preparing for the upcoming season. The study investigated rainy season characteristics for the Luvuvhu River Catchment with reference to rain-fed maize production. Historical daily rainfall data were obtained from 12 weather stations for the period 1923–2015. Instant+ statistical software was used to compute onset, false onset, cessation and length of the rainy season. The trends in rainy season characteristics were analysed using the Spearman rank correlation test. Onset of the rainy season can be expected from the first week of October to the third week of January, while cessation can be expected from the first week of February to the first week of May. The length of the rainy season ranged from 67 to 203 days. Seasonal rainfall ranged from 182 to 1 535 mm. Phafuri, Sigonde, Phunda Maria and Folovhodwe had a higher probability of false onset. No significant changes in rainy season characteristics at a 5% level of significance were observed. There was a strong correlation between onset and length of the rainy season. Based on rainfall patterns only, Phafuri, Sigonde and Folovhodwe might not be suitable for maize production under the current climate. The most favourable sites for maize production within the catchment are Entabeni, Levubu, Lwamondo, Thathe, Tshiombo and Vreemedeling. The findings of this study have implications on agricultural activities and food security as maize is a staple crop in the Luvuvhu River catchment area. Information on rainy season characteristics may therefore help in strengthening food security.

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Published

2021-10-28

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 4 October (2021): Water SA

Section

Research paper

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Fhulufhelo Phillis Tshililo, Michael John Savage, Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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How to Cite

Fhulufhelo Phillis Tshililo, Michael John Savage and Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi (2021) “Rainy season characteristics for the Luvuvhu River catchment, South Africa”, Water SA, 47(4 October). doi:10.17159/wsa/2021.v47.i4.3677.