Qualitative Analysis of Extent and Severity of Desertification for Semi-Arid Regions Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

The potential yields of Jenguma soybean (110 calendars days) a medium maturity variety recommended for northern Ghana were simulated using the AquaCrop model with daily climatic data taken from the Wa Meteorological Station. The climate was delineated to be the only constraint limiting the potential yields with the soil serving only as a reservoir to store the rainfall while other factors affecting the potential yields were assumed non-limiting. The simulations were done in growing degree days (GDD) which is about 2275 °C-days rather than in calendars days. The average potential yields of Jenguma soybean planted in the recommended planting period in mid-June to July on uniformly deep clay loamy were 4.6 tons/ha, 4.4 tons/ha and 4.6 tons/ha for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 farming year respectively. For any of the generated planting dates the yields were more than the yearly averages recorded in the region. The climate of the region is therefore suitable for the production of Jenguma soybean variety and hence with adequate investment and best agronomic practices to provide constraint free environment, the yields will be improved from the current average of about 1.2 tons/ha hence increasing the productivity and improving the livelihoods of soybean farmers in the region.