Thesis (MSc. (Agriculture Pasture Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / This study was conducted at the University of Limpopo’s Experimental Farm (Syferkuil), in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objective was to determine the effect of foliar fertilizers on the dry matter production over a period of two growing seasons. The experiment was laid out in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 4 replications. The experiment was planted on 28th March 2014 for season 1 (2014) and 31st March 2015 for season 2 (2015). Three sources of fertilizer (Nitrospray Plus, Potaspray and a combination of the two) were applied to stooling rye at three different fertilizer application rates (0 kg or ℓ/ha, 2.5 kg or ℓ/ha and 5.0 kg or ℓ/ha). The Nitrospray Plus and Potaspray fertilizers were applied on the 09th May, 02nd July, 27th August and 30th October 2014 for Season 1 (2014). During the Season 2 (2015), they were applied on 11th May, 04th July, 29th August and 02nd November 2015. The application was done using a knapsack sprayer. Above-ground biomass was harvested four times during each season when the plants reached a height of 25–30 cm. During 2014, harvesting was done on the 27th May, 24th July, 12th September and the 17th November 2014. During 2015, harvesting was done on the 29th May, 26th July, 14th September and the 19th November 2015. The dry matter production was determined by harvesting 1 m2 quadrates at 3 cm height. After weighing fresh material, it was oven–dried at 55oC until a constant mass was reached. Samples were then weighed again and the DM production (kg/ha) was calculated. Results were compared, using analysis of variance and the Fisher’s LSD test at P≤ 0.05 within each season. Based on the Least Significance Difference test, treatments were grouped in different production classes. During both seasons, fertilizer application rates had a significant (P≤0.001) influence on dry matter production. In 2014, the highest total dry matter production obtained was 5323 kg/ha in the high potassium fertilizer treatment and the lowest total dry matter was 4049 kg/ha in the control or zero application treatment. xiii In 2015, the highest total dry matter production obtained was 5595 kg/ha in the high potassium fertilizer treatment and the lowest 3678 kg/ha in the control treatment. Potassium fertilizers produced significantly (P≤0.001) higher than nitrogen fertilizers in both seasons. The main conclusions from this study were that high foliar fertilizer application rates (5.0 kg/ha) led to high, low foliar application rates (2.5 kg/ha) to lower and no fertilizer to low dry matter production. High levels of potassium produced the best, followed by combinations of intermediate potassium and nitrogen, and high nitrogen application rates. Yields of above 5000 kg/ha were obtained under high potassium rates. Lower rates led to total productions of more than 4000 kg/ha, while no foliar application produced between 3700 and 4000 kg/ha. It was also concluded that stooling rye is a suitable winter fodder crop for the Pietersburg Plateau Bushveld, but that the application of fertilizers is necessary for increased dry matter production. Both and Nitrospray and Potaspray Plus, as individual foliar fertilizers or in combination, can be applied to increase the dry matter production of stooling rye. However, it is essential to investigate the adaptability of stooling rye in other areas of the Limpopo bushveld, to determine its suitability as a fodder crop in other areas in the province. Keywords: Dry matter production, cutting dates, foliar fertilizers, Nitrospray Plus, Potaspray.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pasture Science)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / Due to shortage of adequate pasture in large parts of South Africa, winter survival poses a problem to farmers. A shortage in winter grazing is the major problem on most farms in South Africa. Animals loose weight in winter which leads to low reproduction, production of milk, mutton and meat. The winter feed shortages counteract also the possible good performance of animals during summer. Winter supplementation contributes largely to high input costs in livestock production, which can make this enterprise uneconomically. This study was done at two different localities: Hygrotech’s experimental farm at Dewageningsdrift, Gauteng and Nooitgedacht Agricultural Development center, Mpumalunga. Five winter fodder crop cultivars (Witteberg oats, Overberg oats, LS 35 stooling rye, LS 62 stooling rye and Cloc 1 Triticale) were planted on six planting dates (05 April, 04 May, 06 June, 20 July, 20 August and 26 September). Five cutting treatments were applied on Dewageningsdrift:  First cut 8 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 8),  First cut 10 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 10),  First cut 12 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 12),  First cut 14 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 14),  First cut when more than 50% of plants were in the reproduction stage (RS). The same cultivars that were used at Dewageningsdrift were used on Nooitgedacht ADC. Only one planting date was applied here that was 02 February 2007. The cutting treatments differed also from that on Dewageningsdrift. Material was cut for the first time when it reached a grazing stage (± 50-60 cm high) and after that re-growth was measured four weeks. The main conclusions from the study were that, Witteberg oats has retained its nutritional value longer than other cultivars. LS 35 stooling rye was an early or short duration growing cultivar, if planted in February to April it will provide grazing early/Mid-winter. However it can also be planted in July to grow in spring. LS 62 stooling rye is a medium to long duration growing cultivar which optimum production period will be in late winter and spring. Witteberg oats is a medium/late producer and a long duration growing cultivar, thus if planted early (April) it can provide grazing until late winter. Overberg oats is an early/med long duration growing type, if planted in April it will produce mid-winter, planted in May to July it will produce late winter and planted in August it will provide spring grazing. Cloc 1 triticale is a long duration growing type. It will produce late winter when planted in April to July and in spring when planted in August/September.

Detta arbeta har utförts för att undersöka hur höstplantering av täckrotsodlad gran (Picea abies) och tall (Pinus sylvestris) överlever och utvecklas jämfört med vårplanterad. Detta i ett led för att se om man kan utöka planteringssäsongen för att få en jämnare arbetsbelastning över säsongen både i plantskolorna och ute i fält. Man har undersökt hur en planteringstidpunkt på sensommaren och hösten påverkar granplantors överlevnad jämfört med plantering på våren. Studien är utförd som en survey studie i södra Sverige på täckrotsplantor av gran som planterats på medelboniteter 2007-2009 och inventerats 2010. Höst och vårplanterade granplantor är jämförda parvis med samma planttyp, ålder, proveniens och geografiskt område. Följande saker har jämförts; plantor per hektar, höjdtillväxt, toppskottstillväxt, rothalsdiametern, frostskador, viltskador samt snytbaggeskador. Höstplantering av täckrotsodlad gran (Picea abies) ger ett lika bra resultat som vårplantering vad gäller överlevnad hos plantor. Höjdtillväxt och diametertillväxt blev något bättre på de höstplanterade plantorna jämfört med vårplanterade efterföljande vår. Höstplanterade plantor skadades något mer av frost än de vårplanterade gjorde, speciellt första säsongen. Vårplanterade plantor fick något mer viltskador än höstplanterade vilket kan bero på färre frostskador. Vårplanterade plantor skadades något mer av snytbagge än de höstplanterade. Snytbaggeskadorna var störst på de torra jordarna i östra området. Höstplantering av täckrotsodlad tall (Pinus sylvestris) gav ett lika bra resultat när det gäller överlevande plantor som gran. / This work has been performed in order to investigate if Norway spruce (Picea abies) and pine (Pinus sylvestris) container-grown seedlings planted in autumn gives the same quality as planting in spring in terms of surviving plants. This is in part to see if one can extend the planting season to get a more even workload over the season, both in nurseries and in the field. The study is designed as a survey study in Southern Sweden on container-grown seedlings of Norway spruce and pine planted 2007-2009 and inventoried 2010. The following things have been compared; plants per hectare, height growth, leading shoot growth, stem diameter, frost damage, damage by wild animals and pine weevil damage. Planting of Norway spruce (Picea abies) container-grown seedlings in autumn gives the same quality as planting in spring in terms of surviving plants. Height growth and diameter growth were slightly better the following season for seedlings planted in autumn compared to seedlings planted in spring. Seedlings planted in autumn were damaged by frost more than seedlings planted the spring, especially the first season. Seedlings planted in spring were slightly more damaged by wild animals than seedlings planted in autumn which may be because of less frost damage. Seedlings planted in spring were slightly a little more damaged by pine weevil than seedlings planted in autumn. Pine weevil damage was greatest in the arid soils in the eastern area. Container-grown seedlings of pine (Pinus sylvestris) planted in autumn gave equally good results as seedlings planted of Norway spruce.

Tiwanaku in Moquegua: Regional Interactions and CollapseThe synthesis of data from excavations and systematic survey of the Osmore drainage promotes a new vision of the relationships between Wari, Tiwanaku, and indigenous people of the region during the Middle Horizon and the beginning of the Late Intermediate Period. A series of facts are effectively established that must be considered in future interpretations. Among others, we note the apparent contemporaneity of Tiwanaku and Wari settlements in the middle and upper sections of the Osmore drainage, generally isolated in their own geographic zones. There are no signs of military conflict or fear of it during perhaps centuries of contact, even though both groups considered the site of Cerro Baúl to be a huaca that only the Wari controlled. Nor was there exchange of goods, suggesting social as well as spatial isolation. We describe the contemporaneity of two Tiwanaku traditions, marked by the Omo and Chen Chen ceramic styles, which were previously considered sequential phases. Finally, we confirm that at the end of the Middle Horizon. Wari abandoned the region, leaving people of the Tiwanaku tradition to divide into local groups and flee to distant, defensible sites at the beginning of the troubled times of the Late Intermediate Period. / La síntesis de datos de excavaciones y reconocimientos sistemáticos de la cuenca del río Osmore permite una visión nueva de las relaciones entre los wari, tiwanaku y poblaciones indígenas de la región durante el Horizonte Medio y el comienzo del Periodo Intermedio Tardío. Una serie de hechos están efectivamente establecidos, los cuales tendrán que ser considerados en futuras interpretaciones. Entre otros, se nota la aparente contemporaneidad de asentamientos tiwanaku y wari en las partes medias y altas de la cuenca del Osmore, pero mayormente aisladas en zonas geográficas separadas. No hay indicios de conflicto bélico ni temor de tal durante, posiblemente, siglos de contacto, a pesar de que ambos grupos vieron al mismo sitio Cerro Baúl como una huaca, la que únicamente los wari controlaron. Tampoco había intercambio de bienes, sugiriendo un aislamiento social al igual que espacial. Se describe la contemporaneidad de dos tradiciones tiwanaku marcadas por los estilos ceramográficos Omo y Chen Chen, que antes se consideraban fases secuenciales. Finalmente, se confirma que, al fin del Horizonte Medio, la gente wari abandonó la región, mientras que los de la tradición Tiwanaku se dispersaron en grupos menores desplazándose a sitios alejados y defendibles al comienzo de los tiempos conflictivos del Periodo Intermedio Tardío.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:22:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Claudia_ Simone_ Madruga_ Lima.pdf: 667471 bytes, checksum: 8461b98b9f07b7348d1c20f840c55d67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-31 / The great development of successful non-traditional crops for the production and area planted, shows that Brazil, as a producer is discovered and entering into new and interesting markets. A small fruit with big potential is Physalis peruviana, because its short cycle, possibility of high economic returns, coupled with nutritional properties. However, little is known of their development, growth and management, especially for conditions edafoclimáticas de Pelotas / RS. In this work, the main objective was to the phenological behavior of Physalis peruviana and adapt management techniques for the conditions of the southern edafoclimáticas RS. The study was conducted in Pelotas, Brazil in the period 2007 to 2008. For the first phase of the experiment was performed in three sowing seasons. In the second phase of the experiment were performed transplant seedlings in two to four times associated systems staking of plants, "V" inverted, triangular, with vertical and vertical bamboo with fitilho. For the first phase of the experiment were determined the dates of occurrence, days after emergence and degree-days for the following phenological phases: true leaves, the first branch, floral budding, formation of basal shoots, fruit trees, the leaves start to fall, and harvest. Also identified were the following phenological stages: swollen flowers and open flowers. Fortnightly from the transplant were evaluated for length, diameter and number of leaves of the main stem, number of shoots, number of flowers and fruits. Were also conducted monthly assessments of the quality of the fruit, as the fruit and total mass, skin color of fruit, total soluble solids (SST), titratable acidity (AT), SST / AT. For the second stage variables answers were: increase the length and diameter of the main stem, the section area of stem, fresh weight of shoot and root, estimated productivity, production efficiency, rate of harvest, the fruit weight, color skin of fruit, total soluble solids (SST), titratable acidity (AT), SST / AT and total carotenoids. In the first phase, the most representative results were verified in the first sowing date. For the second phase, it was shown that the first season of transplantation associated with the system of staking "V" and inverted triangular provided agronomic behavior appropriate for the plants and fruits of Physalis. It is the cultivation of Physalis in the region of Pelotas, Brazil. September is the recommended time of sowing, and staking systems "V" and inverted triangles are the most appropriate in the management of Physalis plants. (Support: CAPES) / O grande desenvolvimento de cultivos frutíferos não tradicionais, em relação à produção e superfície plantada, demonstra que o Brasil, como produtor está descobrindo e ingressando em novos e interessantes mercados. Uma pequena fruta com grandes potencialidades é Physalis peruviana, devido seu ciclo curto, possibilidade de alto retorno econômico, associado às propriedades nutracêuticas. Entretanto, pouco se conhece de seu desenvolvimento, crescimento e manejo, principalmente para as condições edafoclimáticas de Pelotas/RS. Neste trabalho, o objetivo principal foi conhecer o comportamento fenológico de Physalis peruviana e adaptar técnicas de manejo em função das condições edafoclimáticas do Sul do RS. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em Pelotas, RS, no período de 2007 a 2008. Para a primeira etapa do experimento foram realizadas semeaduras em três datas. Foram determinadas as datas de ocorrência, dias após a emergência e graus-dia para os seguintes estádios: folhas verdadeiras, primeira ramificação, brotação floral, flores inchadas, flores abertas, formação de brotos basais, frutos caídos, início de queda das folhas, e colheita. Quinzenalmente, a partir do transplante, foram realizadas avaliações de comprimento e diâmetro do ramo principal, número total de folhas do ramo principal, número de brotos, número de flores e frutos. Também foram realizadas mensalmente, a partir dos 120 dias após o transplante, avaliações de qualidade dos frutos, como: massa do fruto e massa total, coloração da epiderme do fruto, sólidos solúveis totais (SST), acidez total titulável (AT), relação SST/AT. Na segunda etapa do experimento foram realizados transplantes de mudas em duas datas associados a quatro sistemas de tutoramento de plantas, V invertido, triangular, vertical com bambu e vertical com fitilho. Foram avaliados incremento do comprimento e da área da seção do ramo principal, área da seção da ramo principal, massa fresca da parte aérea e da raiz, produtividade, eficiência produtiva, percentual de colheita, massa e diâmetro do fruto, coloração da epiderme do fruto, SST, AT, relação SST/AT e carotenóides totais. Na primeira etapa os resultados mais relevantes foram verificados na primeira data de semeadura. Para a segunda etapa, foi evidenciado que a primeira data de transplante associada aos sistemas de tutoramento V invertido e triangular proporcionam melhor desempenho agronômico das plantas e frutos de physalis. Recomenda-se o cultivo de physalis na região de Pelotas, RS. Setembro é a época de semeadura recomendada e novembro é a época de transplante mais adequada. Os sistemas de tutoramento V invertido e triangular são os mais adequados no manejo de plantas de physalis. (Apoio: CAPES)

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 / The agricultural sector plays an important role in South Africa regardless of the small contribution of 1.88% it has to the GDP of the Country. Small-scale maize farmers’ decisions to adopt adaptation options in response to climate change and variability are influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental factors, indicating that decision patterns can be very specific to a given locality. The study aimed to analyse the determinants of small-scale maize farmers’ willingness to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change. This study had two main objectives, to identify and describe the socio-economic characteristics of small-scale maize farmers, and to determine factors influencing the small-scale maize farmer’s willingness to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. The study used primary data with a sample size of 150 small-scale maize farmers. Descriptive statistics and the Probit Regression Model were employed when analysing data. The study employed purposive sampling in the data collection process and three villages were selected. Probability was proportional to sample size and was used to select the number of small-scale maize farmers for the sample frame of each village. About 58% of the sampled small-scale maize farmers were willing to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change, as opposed to 42% of those not willing to pay for changing planting dates. Empirical results from the analysis reported that age (10%), educational level (1%), level of income (1%), years of farming (10%), total output (1%), exposure to climate information services (5%), and use of indigenous forecast (1%) out of twelve explanatory variables were found to be significant. Based on the empirical findings of the study it is recommended that government officials together with other stakeholders such as NGOs and research institutions should invest in the education of small-scale maize farmers through knowledge systems such as (presentations, conferences, seminars, abet etc). Government policies and strategic investment plans that support improved small-scale maize farmers’ accessibility to climate information are also recommended.

The Walling Family of Nineteenth-Century Texas recounts the actions of the first four generations of the John Walling family. Through a heavily quantitative study, the study focuses on the patterns of movement, service, and seizing opportunity demonstrated by the family as they took full advantage of the benefits of frontier expansion in the Old South and particularly Texas. In doing so, it chronicles the role of a relatively unknown family in many of the most defining events of the nineteenth-century Texas experience such as the Texas Revolution, Mexican War, Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Close of the Frontier. Based on extensive research in census, tax, election, land, military, family paper, newspaper, and existing genealogical records; the study documents the contributions of family members to the settlement of more than forty counties while, at the same time, noting its less positive behaviors such as its open hostility to American Indians, and significant slave ownership. This study seeks to extend the work of other quantitative studies that looked at movement and political influence in the Old South, Texas, and specific communities to the microcosm of a single extended family. As a result, it should be of use to those wanting a greater understanding of how events in nineteenth-century Texas shaped, and were shaped by, families outside the political and social elite.

Motor skills disorder of upper limb motor disorders is currently a frequent reason for large population disability. That is why it is necessary to adress this issue and look for possibilities of proper evaluation and therapy. One of the standard methods is Jebsen- Taylor test (JTT). This thesis deals with theoretical aspects of the Jebsen-Taylor test and presents results of the research verifying psychometric characterictics of the test as well as influence of demografic characteristics on the performance in the test. The theoretical part deals with motor skills disorder that are closely related with the test. The practical part presents results of the research using the sample of nonrandomised Czech non-clinical population. The aim is to create basic norms of the Jebsen-Taylor test and this particular population.The norms were created on a sample of 180 persons separately for men and women divided into three age groups (20-59, 60-75, 76-99). The age of the participants influences the results in most subtests of the Jebsen-Taylor test. With the increasing age, an average time of particular subtests increases, too. The gender influence was not notably manifested in most subtests. In the group of men the performance of the upper limb showed significant difference. On the other hand, in the group of...

Le motif du palmier, qui apparaît dès la fin du IVe millénaire av. J.-C. en Égypte et en Mésopotamie, connaît une très large diffusion dans la Méditerranée antique, durant les second et premier millénaires av. J.-C. Il s’inscrit dans la tradition artistique, culturelle et religieuse d’un grand nombre de régions : le Levant, l’île de Chypre, la Grèce, la Méditerranée occidentale. Bâtie sur ce champ d’étude, géographiquement et chronologiquement très large, cette thèse examine la répartition du motif résultant de contacts et d’échanges entre les différentes civilisations et met en lumière l’élaboration d’une iconographie spécifique, propre à chacune d’entre elles. Certains développements symboliques – tels l’aspect cultuel du palmier et le rapprochement ou l’assimilation de l’arbre avec l’être humain, et plus particulièrement avec la femme –, apparaissent récurrents et permettent d’examiner la question de la continuité, ou non, du motif dans les différents groupes d’images étudiées et la façon dont la vision de l’arbre se manifeste dans chacune des civilisations. / The pattern of the palm-tree, which appears as soon as the end of the IVth millennium BC in both Egypt and Mesopotamia, experiences a vast diffusion across the Ancient Mediterranean world during the IInd and Ist millennium BC. Its style situates it in the artistic, cultural, and religious tradition of a large number of regions: the Levant, Cyprus island, Ancient Greece, and the Western Mediterranean. This thesis, built on wide geographical and chronological fields of study, investigates the geographical distribution of the pattern arising from contacts and exchanges between various civilizations and highlights how a specific iconography, proper to each civilization, has been elaborated. Some symbolic developments, such as the religious aspect of the palm-tree and the connection or assimilation of the tree to humans, in particular to women, appear recurrent and allow one to address the question of the continuity of the pattern in various picture samples and the way the view of the tree manifests itself in each of these civilizations.

Ce travail de thèse a un double objectif : (i) combler le manque de connaissances concernant la cohérence spatiale et la prévisibilité potentielle de descripteurs intrasaisonniers (DIS) de la saison des pluies en Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Les descripteurs retenus sont le cumul saisonnier (S), l’occurrence des jours pluvieux > 1 mm (O), l’intensité moyenne des pluies journalières (I), les dates de démarrage (DSP) et de fin (FSP) de la saison des pluies, la durée moyenne des séquences sèches (DSS) et humides (DSH) ; (ii) documenter la relation climat-agriculture et en particulier celle entre variabilité intrasaisonnière des pluies et rendements, à partir de l’exemple de la culture du mil dans la région de Niamey. À partir des enregistrements pluviométriques journaliers (1950-2000) issus de la base FRIENDAOC documentant un réseau de 136 stations localisées au Sénégal, Mali, Burkina Faso et Niger, la cohérence spatiale à l’échelle interannuelle, a été estimée par divers scores statistiques (DOF, var[SAI], ACP, corrélations). Elle apparaît contrastée entre les descripteurs intrasaisonniers. Les anomalies de cumul saisonnier et d’occurrence des jours pluvieux > 1 mm présentent une forte cohérence spatiale d’une année sur l’autre. À l’inverse, la cohérence spatiale les anomalies interannuelles de l intensité moyenne des pluies journalières, des dates de démarrage et de fin de la saison des pluies, et de la durée moyenne des séquences sèches et humides est faible. Ainsi, le signal interannuel régional du cumul saisonnier semble principalement lié à une modulation systématique en phase de l’occurrence des jours pluvieux > 1 mm. La prévisibilité potentielle de S, O, DSP et FSP, estimée à partir des précipitations issues de 24 simulations du MCG ECHAM 4.5 forcé par les TSO historiques, est faible. Par contre, l'application de modèles statistico-dynamiques basés sur les précipitations ou la dynamique atmosphérique simulées permet d'améliorer les scores de performance pour le cumul saisonnier et l’occurrence des jours de pluies > 1 mm.Enfin, à partir d’enquêtes et de suivis menés en milieu agricole sur la culture du mil, ainsi que d’enregistrements pluviométriques journaliers sur l’observatoire AMMA-CATCH Niger entre 2004 et 2007, une analyse de la relation entre date de semis, date de démarrage de la saison des pluies et rendements finaux a été réalisée. Les résultats montrent que (i) la plupart des agriculteurs attendent le premier événement pluvieux recueillant au moins 10 mm en deux jours pour semer ; (ii) les vagues de semis sont généralement synchronisées sur le démarrage méso-échelle de la saison des pluies plutôt que sur le démarrage agronomique et (iii) la sensibilité du rendement en grains, testée à partir de simulations du modèle agronomique SARRA-H, pour différentes dates de semis (semis observé, date de démarrage de la saison des pluies), est faible. / The aim of this thesis is twofold : (i) fill a lack of knowledge about the spatial coherence and seasonal predictability of the intraseasonal characteristics (ISC) of the soudano-sahelian rainy season. These ISC are the seasonal rainfall amount (S), the daily rainfall frequency > 1 mm (O), the daily rainfall mean intensity (I), the dates of the onset and withdrawal of the rainy season, the mean length of the dry (LDS) and/or wet spells (LWS) ; (ii) document the climate-agriculture relationship over the Niamey area based on the millet crop example.From FRIEND-AOC daily rainfall records (1950-2000) for a 136 stations-network located in Senegal, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Niger, the spatial coherence, estimated through DOF, var[SAI], EOF, correlation, is not equivalent between the intra-seasonal characteristics. Seasonal rainfall and daily rainfall frequency anomalies have a substantial interannual spatial coherence. Conversely, the spatial coherence of daily mean intensity, onset and withdrawal dates of the rainy season and mean length of dry/wet spells interannual anomalies is weak. Consequently, the regional signal of the seasonal amount interannual variability seems mainly related to the in-phase modulation of the daily rainfall frequency. Potential predictability of seasonal amount, daily rainfall frequency, onset and withdrawal dates of the rainy season estimated from a 24-member ensemble of simulations made with the ECHAM 4.5 GCM forced by observed SSTs, is poor. On the other hand, the use of a model output statistics approached based on simulated rainfall or atmospheric dynamics enhances the skill of the seasonal amount and daily rainfall frequency hindcasts.Lastly, the relationship between the sowing date – rainy season onset date – and yield has been analysed using data collected from on-farm surveys of pearl millet crops, and rain-gauges records between 2004 to 2007 over the AMMA-CATCH Niger supersite. Results show that: (i) most of the farmers wait for the first rainy event greater than 10 mm to sow; (ii) the sowing waves are usually synchronized with the mesoscale onset date rather than the agronomic onset date; (iii) the sensitivity of grain yields, evaluated from SARRA-H crop model simulations initialized with different sowing dates (i.e. observed sowing date, agronomic and hydrologic onset date), is weak.