The effect of low temperatures on banana yields

Abstract

Banana yields from four regions in Israel have been correlated with low temperatures over a period of eleven years. It was found that the average monthly minimum temperatures during the winter season affect primarily the yield of the current year, while the "quantity of cold" i.e. a measure of temperatures below 5°C affects the yield of the following year. Mild cold weather during November and March have a beneficial effect. The model used fitted the data fairly well, explaining 98% to 61% of the total variation in yield, depending on the climatic region.