Analysis of SPI as a Drought Indicator during the Maize Growing Period in the Çukurova Region (Turkey)

Roman Rolbiecki, Ali Yücel, Joanna Kocięcka, Atılgan Atilgan, Monika Marković and Daniel Liberacki
Additional contact information
Roman Rolbiecki: Department of Agrometeorology, Plant Irrigation and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-029 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Ali Yücel: Osmaniye Vocational School, Construction Technology, University of Osmaniye Korkut Ata, 80000 Osmaniye, Turkey
Joanna Kocięcka: Department of Land Improvement, Environment Development and Spatial Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Atılgan Atilgan: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, 07450 Antalya, Turkey
Monika Marković: Department for Plant Production and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Scineces, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Daniel Liberacki: Department of Land Improvement, Environment Development and Spatial Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-29

Abstract: One of the major challenges for agriculture related to climate change is drought. The increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation in many parts of the world have enhanced the frequency and severity of drought events. Therefore, a detailed analysis is required in order to determine the drought frequency and take the necessary precautions. In this study, the climatic conditions in the agricultural region of Çukurova (Turkey) were analysed. Meteorological data for the three provinces of Adana, Mersin, and Osmaniye were used. The aim was to calculate the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for each of the three provinces analysed, and to use these values to detect drought during the different growth periods of maize. We also investigated whether the SPI values for the last 30 years differ significantly between the provinces. Furthermore, indicators such as the duration, magnitude, severity, recurrence, and drought frequency were also calculated. Using linear regression analysis, we determined whether there were trends in the multi-year data for the total precipitation and mean temperature. In addition, the water deficiency was determined by examining the amount of water required by maize and the adequacy of the precipitation in each development period. As a result, it was found that the Çukurova region is prone to droughts, but they follow a mild course in most cases. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the SPI values in the three provinces. The calculated average approximate drought recurrences (Tr) and expected intensities (Iave) were Tr ~ 1.036 years and Iave ~ 5.634 mm year −1 in 3 years for Adana, Tr ~ 1.031 years and Iave ~ −0.312 mm year −1 in 3 years for Mersin, and Tr ~ 1.052 years and Iave ~ −0.084 mm year −1 in 3 years Osmaniye. The research carried out in this paper confirmed that maize cultivation in the Çukurova region is vulnerable to drought, and adaptation actions should be taken immediately.

Keywords: drought; corn; water needs; SPI; climate analysis; maize growing periods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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