Irrigation leads to greater maize yield at higher water productivity and lower environmental costs: a global meta-analysis

To increase crop productivity while reducing environmental costs, an integrated soil–crop system management (ISSM) strategy was developed and successfully adopted in China. However, little information is available on the long-term ISSM effects on maize agronomic and environmental performance. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of ISSM with combining inorganic and organic fertilizers on maize productivity, N use efficiency (NUE) and N balance and losses as compared with farmers’ practice (FP) and high-yielding practice (HY), based on an 11-year field experiment in Northeast China. Maize yield in ISSM (11.7–14.3 Mg ha−1) achieved 97.7% of that in HY and was increased by 27% relative to FP. The excellent yield performance in ISSM was mainly attributed to optimum plant population structure and yield components. Annual N surplus in ISSM was only 7 kg ha−1, which was considerably lower than that in FP (52 kg ha−1) and HY (109 kg ha−1). Consequently, ISSM obtained significantly lower N losses and greenhouse gases emissions and higher NUE. In contrast to FP, crop performance in ISSM showing better sustainability and inter-annual stability. In conclusion, ISSM is an effective strategy to achieve long-term sustainable high crop yields and NUE with less environmental costs in the intensive agricultural system.

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Effect of Nitrogen Fertiliser Application on Maize Yield Across Agro-Ecological Regions and Soil Types in Zimbabwe: A Meta-analysis Approach

International Journal of Plant Production ◽

10.1007/s42106-019-00045-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 251-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jephita Gotosa ◽

Jefline Kodzwa ◽

Justice Nyamangara ◽

Willis Gwenzi

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Soil Types ◽

Analysis Approach ◽

Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽

Ecological Regions ◽

Fertiliser Application

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Effects of Soils and Irrigation Volume on Maize Yield, Irrigation Water Productivity, and Nitrogen Uptake

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-41447-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jing Fang ◽

Yongzhong Su

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Uptake ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Irrigation Volume ◽

Irrigation Water Productivity

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Effect of different drip fertigation methods on maize yield, nutrient and water productivity in two-soils in Northeast China

Agricultural Water Management ◽

10.1016/j.agwat.2018.10.018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 213 ◽

pp. 200-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Dali Wu ◽

Xinxing Xu ◽

Yanling Chen ◽

Hui Shao ◽

Eldad Sokolowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Northeast China ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Drip Fertigation

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Substitution of Mineral Fertilizer with Organic Fertilizer in Maize Systems: A Meta-Analysis of Reduced Nitrogen and Carbon Emissions

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10081149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1149

Author(s):

Zhibiao Wei ◽

Hao Ying ◽

Xiaowei Guo ◽

Minghao Zhuang ◽

Zhenling Cui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration ◽

Organic And Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Organic Carbon Sequestration

Organic fertilizer is an effective substitute for mineral fertilizer that improves crop yield and is environmentally friendly. However, the effects of substitution often vary due to complicated interactions among the organic fertilizer substitution rate (Rs), total nutrient supply, and type of cropping system used. We performed a meta-analysis of 133 maize studies, conducted worldwide, to assess maize yield and environmental performance with substitution of mineral fertilizer with organic fertilizer. At an equivalent nitrogen (N) rate, substituting mineral fertilizer with organic fertilizer increased maize yield by 4.22%, reduced NH3 volatilization by 64.8%, reduced N leaching and runoff by 26.9%, and increased CO2 emissions by 26.8%; however, it had no significant effect on N2O or CH4 emissions. Moreover, substitution with organic fertilizer increased the soil organic carbon sequestration rate by 925 kg C ha−1 yr−1 and decreased the global warming potential by 116 kg CO2 eq ha−1 compared with mineral fertilizer treatment. The net global warming potential after organic fertilizer substitution was −3507 kg CO2 eq ha−1, indicating a net carbon sink. Furthermore, the effect of organic fertilizer substitution varied with the fertilization rate, Rs, and treatment duration. Maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency tended to increase with increasing N application rate following substitution of mineral fertilizer with organic fertilizer. Full substitution reduced N losses more than partial substitution. Further analysis revealed that the yield-optimal Rs for organic N in maize production was 40–60%. Moreover, maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency were further increased after long-term (≥ 3 years) combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers. These findings suggest that rational use of organic and mineral fertilizers improves maize productivity, increases soil organic carbon sequestration, and reduces N and C losses.

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Evaluation of different crop sequences for wheat and maize in sandy soil

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2017.109.2.21 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 109 (2) ◽

pp. 383 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Samiha Abou El-Fetouh Ouda ◽

Abd El-Hafeez A. Zohry ◽

Wael Ahmed Hamd-Alla ◽

El-Sayed Shalaby

Keyword(s):

Sandy Soil ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Total Production ◽

Applied Water ◽

Irrigation Amount ◽

Legume Crop ◽

Crop Sequence

The objective of this paper was to assess four crop sequence system including wheat and maize grown in sandy soil of Upper Egypt with respect to the applied irrigation amount for each crop sequence, total production and water productivity. Two field experiments were conducted in Egypt during 2013/14 and 2014/15 growing seasons. Each experiment included four crop sequences: maize then wheat (CS1); maize, short season clover (SSC) then wheat (CS2); cowpea, SSC then wheat (CS3); cowpea intercropped with maize, SSC then wheat (CS4). The lowest amount of applied water was added to CS1 which resulted with low value of wheat and maize yield and the lowest water productivity. The highest amount of applied water was applied to CS2 and CS4 (similar values). The highest wheat yield and water productivity were obtained in CS3. The highest maize yield and water productivity was obtained from CS4. The highest total production (170.88 and 213.43 CU ha-1 in the 1st and 2nd season, respectively) and water productivity (0.093 and 0.114 CU m-3 in the 1st and 2nd season, respectively) for the studied crop sequences was obtained from CS3. In conclusion, higher water productivity for wheat in sandy soil can be attain by cultivating two legume crops before it (CS3); and for maize, it should be intercropped with a legume crop (CS4).

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