RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 11 No. 1, June 1999, p. 79-89

EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON YIELD COMPONENTS OF THE OIL PALM IN A FOREST LOCATION IN NIGERIA

OBOB B O*; FAKOREDE M A B+

ABSTRACT

Simple linear correlations, stepwise multiple regressions and path coefficient analysis were used to determine the relationship between climatic variables and yield components in the oil palm; i.e. number of bunches (NB), fresh fruit bunch yield (FFB) and mean bunch weight (MBW) over a  13-and 20-year period. Yield could be reliably predicted from minimum relative humidity and sunshine hours 18-24 months prior to harvest.

KEYWORDS:


* Biology Unit,
Dept. of Biol. Science,
University of Lagos. Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

+ Dept. of Plant Science,
Obafemi Aolowo University,
Ile-ife. Nigeria