The characteristics of wet spells in Tanzania

Abstract

In Tanzania where the bulk of economy depends largely on rain-fed agriculture, the study of daily rainfall patterns is of paramount importance. It is well known that wet or dry spells lasting for long duration may impose unbearable moisture stress on crops. The dry and wet spells will also influence the day-to-day agricultural operations which include seedbed preparations, weeding, fertilizer applications, harvesting and many others. These weather events also influence the occurrence and spread of many plants and animal diseases, and pests, together with the wind and water erosion. It is therefore important to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics of wet and dry spells.