RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE AND CORN YIELD SEASONAL IN ZACATECAS

Abstract

This research was aimed to study the effects of three climatic variables on com (Zea mays L.) yield under rainfed conditions in tbe state of Zacatecas. Average yield, planted area and harvested area data (1980-86), collected from rural counties across the state, were correlated against the monthly data of rainfall, temperature and evaporation occurring during the crop growing season. This last information was obtained from meteorological stations in each county. As expected, com yield was negatively affected by scarce rainfall and by low temperatures. Losses in planted are were greater under the lowest rainfall. Evaporation rate had the oppossite effect as compared to that of accumulated precipitation. In general, the corn yield increased as the september and october accumulated rainfall also increased. The best rural counties of the Zacatecas state for corn production are Jalpa, Río Grande and Jerez, because of their better climatic conditions.