Assessing the impact of climate variability on maize yields in the different regions of Ghana—A machine learning perspective

illustrates the beneficial effect of higher average temperatures on maize yield in this region. In the Western region (Fig 3g), maximum maize yields are obtained when average temperatures range from 26.72˚C to 27.33˚C and precipitation amounts fall between 1223.53 mm and 1663.42 mm. The optimal combination occurs at an average temperature of 26.92˚C and a pre- cipitation total of 1223.53 mm, resulting in the maximum maize yield. Based on the findings from Fig 3, it can be concluded that increased precipitation is benefi- cial for maize yield in Ghana. Additionally, the optimal range of average temperatures for maize yield varies depending on the region, ranging from 26.00˚C to 28.00˚C. Conversely, lower average temperatures and less precipitation do not contribute to the production of a good maize yield, as evidenced by the data presented in these figures. Fig 3. Combined impact of average temperature and precipitation on maize yield in the different regions of Ghana. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305762.g003 PLOS ONE Impact of climate variability on maize yields in Ghana PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305762 June 25, 2024 15 / 24