Société d’Exploitation et de Développement Aéroportuaire, Aéronautique et Météorologique (SOXEAM), Département Agrométéorologie, 15 BP 990 ABIDJAN 15, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Leaf wetness duration is a key parameter in agricultural meteorology as it is linked to the epidemiology of many important crops, and to the control of infection rates and pathogen development. This study analyzed the variations in meteorological conditions favoring the leaf wetness duration of cashew trees in two zones of Côte d’Ivoire: Lataha (north) and Vavoua (central-west). Climatic variables such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and precipitation were measured over a three-year period. The study reveals that in the northern zone, prolonged leaf wetness periods coincide with high relative humidity, low temperatures, and moderate solar radiation. In Vavoua, relative humidity remains high throughout the year, leading to a longer leaf wetness duration. An inverse correlation between relative humidity and variables such as temperature and solar radiation was observed in both zones, indicating that lower temperatures extend leaf wetness. The results highlight the importance of monitoring meteorological variables to anticipate the risks of foliar diseases and recommend an integrated crop management approach based on rigorous meteorological monitoring to mitigate the climatic impacts on leaf wetness duration.