Is least limiting water range a useful indicator of the impact of tillage management on maize yield?

2020 ◽  
Vol 199 ◽  
pp. 104602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengping Li ◽  
Xueping Wu ◽  
Guopeng Liang ◽  
Lili Gao ◽  
Bisheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maize Yield ◽  
Least Limiting Water Range ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Adoption of Conservation Practices: Its Impact on Input Use and Performance in the Northern Region of Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Mavis Boimah ◽  
Akwasi Mensah-Bonsu ◽  
Yaw Osei-Asare ◽  
Daniel B. Sarpong
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Average Treatment Effect ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Average Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is promoted worldwide on the basis of its contribution to economic, social, and environmental sustainability of agricultural production. In Ghana, despite the increasing interest in the promotion of CA and its practices, its rate of adoption is still low, mainly due to the conflicting evidences regarding its effectiveness. This paper contributes to the numerous debates by examining the impact of CA practices on hired labour, rates of inorganic fertilizers applied by adopters, maize yield, and profit of adopters. Using a cross-sectional data, a multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) model was employed to compute the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) and Average Treatment Effect on Treated (ATET) for yield, hired labour, inorganic fertilizer rate, and profit of adopters of CA practices. The study reveals that CA practices impact positively on hired labour employed on the farm, but have a negative impact on profits of adopters. No impact whatsoever of adoption of CA practices is observed on maize yield and also inorganic fertilizer application rates. Technical assistance, and training of farmers on strategies that minimize costs of production must be intensified to raise profits of adopters.

scholarly journals The Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and the Use of Biostimulants on the Yield of Two Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) Cultivated for Grain

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1408
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kapela ◽  
Anna Sikorska ◽  
Marek Niewęgłowski ◽  
Ewa Krasnodębska ◽  
Krystyna Zarzecka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Control Object ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Family Farm ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Hybrid Cultivar ◽  
The Impact

The field experiment was carried out in 2015–2017 on a family farm in Toczyski Czortki, in the Mazovia voivodeship in Poland. The experiment was set up in a split–split–plot system in three replications. The area of one plot was 30 m−2. The studied factors were: I—two maize varieties: PR38N86 (medium late hybrid cultivar 280 FAO), P8400 (medium early hybrid cultivar 240 FAO); II—four doses of nitrogen fertilization: 1. control object—without the use of nitrogen (0 kg N·ha−1), 2. nitrogen dose—80 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 3. nitrogen dose—120 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 4. nitrogen dose—160 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing); III—four types of biostimulants used: 1. control object—without using a biostimulant, 2. Asahi®SL biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 3. Improver® biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 1.00 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 4. Zeal® biostimulant: I term—six-leaf phase (BBCH 16) at a dose of 2.00 dm3∙ha−1. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization and the use of biostimulants on the size and quality of yield of two varieties of maize grown for grain. Based on the conducted research, it was found that nitrogen doses influenced the amount of maize grain obtained. The highest yields were obtained using 120 kg N∙ha−1. Nitrogen doses significantly affected the studied maize yield components. The dose of 120 kg N∙ha−1 increased the number of grains in the cob, while the dose—160 kg N∙ha−1 exerted the best effect on obtaining the highest values of a thousand seeds. The biostimulants used in the experiment significantly affected the mass of one thousand seeds and the number of grains in the cob. In addition, Asahi®SL, Improver® and Zeal® biostimulants increased maize yield in each growing season studied.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Maize Yield in Smallholder Systems to Climate Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions of West Africa: Accounting for Variability in Farm Management Practices

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bright Freduah ◽  
Dilys MacCarthy ◽  
Myriam Adam ◽  
Mouhamed Ly ◽  
Alex Ruane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Climate Scenarios ◽  
Relative Standard ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Smallholder Systems

Climate change is estimated to exacerbate existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. However, limited studies quantify the extent of variation in climate change impact under these systems at the local scale. The Decision Support System for Agro-technological Transfer (DSSAT) was used to quantify variation in climate change impacts on maize yield under current agricultural practices in semi-arid regions of Senegal (Nioro du Rip) and Ghana (Navrongo and Tamale). Multi-benchmark climate models (Mid-Century, 2040–2069 for two Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and multiple soil and management information from agronomic surveys were used as input for DSSAT. The average impact of climate scenarios on grain yield among farms ranged between −9% and −39% across sites. Substantial variation in climate response exists across farms in the same farming zone with relative standard deviations from 8% to 117% at Nioro du Rip, 13% to 64% in Navrongo and 9% to 37% in Tamale across climate models. Variations in fertilizer application, planting dates and soil types explained the variation in the impact among farms. This study provides insight into the complexities of the impact of climate scenarios on maize yield and the need for better representation of heterogeneous farming systems for optimized outcomes in adaptation and resilience planning in smallholder systems.

scholarly journals TO CONTROL OR NOT TO CONTROL: HOW DO WE LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW AGRONOMIC INNOVATIONS PERFORM ON FARMS?

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
RIC COE ◽  
JOYCE NJOLOMA ◽  
FERGUS SINCLAIR
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Real World ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
System Response ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
The Real ◽  
Important Variation ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYOur paper ‘Loading the dice in favour of the farmer: reducing the risk of adopting agronomic innovations’ revealed mean increases but also large variation in the impact of four agroforestry practises on maize yield, as experienced by farmers in Malawi. This prompted a response from Sileshi and Akinnifesi that was critical of the data and methods used. Their main concern was that farmers did not necessarily manage crops identically in plots with and those without trees, so the yield differences that we measured may be partly caused by these differences in crop management. We argue here that it is valid and useful to look at the actual effect on crop yield of farmers having trees intercropped with maize, rather than controlling for how the crop is managed, because this is what happens in the real world. Farmers respond to having trees in their field by treating their crop differently, so this is part of the system response to having trees in fields. Attempts to eliminate this will result in measuring an artefact rather than the real impact of trees on crop yield. By doing this, we revealed important variation in the impact of trees on crop yield amongst farmers, and we argue that it is important to explore, assess and communicate to farmers and development actors the extent and implications of this variation. Understanding the contextual factors that determine who is likely to benefit most from an innovation and for whom it is less suitable can then be incorporated in scaling up, so that targeting of innovations and the appropriateness of messages given to farmers are continuously refined.

scholarly journals Multivariate Tools for Evaluating the Use of Organic Fertilizers on Soil Microbial Properties and Maize Yield

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Layana Dorado Correia Belinato ◽  
Elston Elston Kraft ◽  
Rafael Solivo ◽  
Patrícia Aparecida de Oliveira ◽  
Evandro Spagnollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Swine Manure ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Manure Compost ◽  
The Impact

The global demand for protein led to the increase of animal production in the world and, mainly, in Brazil. As a consequence, there was an increase in the amount of waste produced, and the need to seek alternatives for its sustainable use. Microbial indicators and multivariate tools can assist in the proper measurement of the impact of the use of this waste on the soil. This study aimed to: 1) measure the effect of the application of organic fertilizers of animal origin in the no-tillage system on soil microbial attributes and its relationship with maize yield; 2) evaluate the potential of separation/discrimination of the different sources of organic fertilizers based on yield and soil microbial and chemical-physical attributes, using multivariate tools. Treatments consisted of annual application of: poultry manure (PM), liquid swine manure (LSM), poultry manure compost (PMC), swine manure compost (SMC), cattle manure compost (CMC) and control (C), without fertilization. Organic fertilizers promoted higher values of microbial biomass (MB) and MBC:TOC ratio in treatments CMC, SMC and PM in the first sampling season (E1), followed by PM, LSM and PMC in the second sampling period (E2). The data show that PM promoted microbial growth in both seasons, with higher metabolic efficiency increasing maize yield by 30% in relation to the treatment with the second highest production, PMC. Multivariate analysis techniques prove to be important tools to study soil quality indicators in systems which use organic fertilizers.

scholarly journals Simulating the Impact of Climate Change on Maize Productivity in Trans-gangetic Plains using Info Crop Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baljeet Kaur ◽  
Som Pal Singh ◽  
P.K. Kingra
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Gangetic Plains ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Model Average ◽  
In Trans ◽  
The Impact

Background: Climate change is a nonpareil threat to the food security of hundred millions of people who depends on agriculture for their livelihood. A change in climate affects agricultural production as climate and agriculture are intensely interrelated global processes. Global warming is one of such changes which is projected to have significant impacts on environment affecting agriculture. Agriculture is the mainstay economy in trans-gangetic plains of India and maize is the third most important crop after wheat and rice. Heat stress in maize cause several changes viz. morphological, anatomical and physiological and biochemical changes. Methods: In this study during 2014-2018, impact of climate change on maize yield in future scenarios was simulated using the InfoCrop model. Average maize yield from 2001-15 was collected for Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to calibrate and validate the model. Future climatic data set from 2020 to 2050 was used in the study to analyse the trends in climatic parameters.Result: Analysis of future data revealed increasing trends in maximum temperature and minimum temperature. Rainfall would likely follow the erratic behaviour in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Increase in temperature was predicted to have negative impact on maize yield under future climatic scenario.

scholarly journals Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield in Victoria Nile Sub-basin, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joash Bwambale ◽  
Khaldoon A. Mourad
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Aquacrop Model ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAgriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy, with about 24.9% contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) as per the Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17. Agricultural productivity (yield per hectare) is still low due to the high dependence on rain-fed subsistence farming. Climate change is expected to further reduce the yield per hectare. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential impact of climate change on maize yield in the Victoria Nile Sub-basin using the AquaCrop model. It further assesses the possible adaptation measures to climate change. The Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 2–Earth System (HadGEM2-ES) data downloaded from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) was used to simulate maize yield in the near future (2021–2040), mid future (2041–2070) and late future (2071–2099). Results show that maize yield is likely to reduce by as high as 1–10%, 2–42% and 1–39% in the near, mid and late futures, respectively, depending on the agro-ecological zone. This decline in maize yield can have a significant impact on regional food security as well as socio-economic well-being since maize is a staple crop. The study also shows that improving soil fertility has no significant impact on maize yield under climate change. However, a combined application of supplementary irrigation and shifting the planting dates is a promising strategy to maintain food security and socio-economic development. This study presents important findings and adaptation strategies that policymakers and other stakeholders such as farmers can implement to abate the effects of climate change on crop production.

scholarly journals What impact does the adoption of drought-tolerant maize for Africa have on the yield and poverty status of farmers in the arid region of Nigeria?

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-317
Author(s):  
Oluwakemi Obayelu ◽  
Oluwatomi Fakolujo ◽  
Bola Awotide
Keyword(s):  
Maize Yield ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Poverty Status ◽  
Northwestern Region ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Yield ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Small Holder

Maize production in Nigeria has not been able to meet the needs of people owing to drought, low productivity and lack of access to improved varieties by the farmers. Increased agricultural yield is a potential means for increasing household income, which tends to lower the poverty status of small-holder farmers. This study assessed the impact of Drought-Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) on the yield and poverty status of farmers in the northwestern region of Nigeria. The study used the dataset from Adoption of DTMA Survey by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, with 293 respondents from northwestern Nigeria (90 adopters and 203 non-adopters of DTMA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, binary regression and propensity score matching methods. Results showed that small-holder farmers were more likely to adopt DTMA than bigger farms. Adopters had an increase in DTMA yield of 9,262.77kg/ha while the counterfactual non-adopters had an increase of 3,807.74kg/ha. The adoption of DTMA reduced the probability of being poor by 60 percent for the treatment group while poverty incidence was reduced by 35% among the non-adopters. The general conclusion is that DTMA adoption program improved maize yield and reduced poverty incidence among rural households.

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