ON-FARM EXPERIMENTS WITH MAIZE-MUCUNA SYSTEMS IN THE LOS TUXTLAS REGION OF VERACRUZ, SOUTHERN MEXICO. II. MUCUNA VARIETY EVALUATION AND SUBSEQUENT MAIZE GRAIN YIELD

2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. EILITTÄ ◽  
L. E. SOLLENBERGER ◽  
R. C. LITTELL ◽  
L. W. HARRINGTON
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
On Farm

Despite interest in mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) as a green manure/cover crop, biomass production of its accessions has been poorly quantified, including in the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz, Mexico where smallholders have used maize (Zea mays)-mucuna systems increasingly since 1991. This on-farm research compared the biomass production of three mucuna varieties (white-, mottled-, and black seeded) in a rotational maize-mucuna system. Mucuna was sole-cropped during the first season (on eleven and five fields in 1996 and 1997 respectively), and its impact on the second-season maize yield was measured (on seven fields in 1996). White and mottled varieties produced equal biomass (7.92 and 6.74 t ha−1 in 1996 and 1997 respectively), and more than the black variety (6.85 and 4.90 t ha−1 in 1996 and 1997 respectively). Mucuna increased 1996/97 second-season maize grain yields by 50 % (from 0.97 to 1.46 t ha−1). Plots previously cropped with white and mottled varieties produced greater maize yield (1.55 t ha−1) than did black-variety plots (1.29 t ha−1). The research confirmed the higher productivity of the white and mottled varieties and the potential of the rotational system. Allocating the more desirable first-season growth period to mucuna and the riskier second season to maize is problematic, but the system may have potential in the region as a short-term fallow that permits second-season maize production.

ON-FARM EXPERIMENTS WITH MAIZE-MUCUNA SYSTEMS IN THE LOS TUXTLAS REGION OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO. I. MUCUNA BIOMASS AND MAIZE GRAIN YIELD

2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. EILITTÄ ◽  
L. E. SOLLENBERGER ◽  
R. C. LITTELL ◽  
L. W. HARRINGTON
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Control Data ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
On Farm

Maize (Zea mays)-mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) systems have been promoted to the smallholder farmers of the Los Tuxtlas region of southeastern Veracruz, Mexico. To determine on-farm performance, an agronomic assessment was conducted in 1995–97 replicating farmer conditions in four fields. Treatments were first- and second-season maize with first-season mucuna (system Zm-Mp/Zm), first-season maize with first- and second-season mucuna (system Zm-Mp/Mp), second-season maize following first-season mucuna (system Mp/Zm), and first- and second-season maize, no mucuna control. Data on mucuna biomass amount and quality as well as maize yield, yield components, and nutrient status were collected. Highest mucuna biomass was obtained in system Mp/Zm (leaf-stem-mulch biomass in 1996/97, 7.34 t ha−1, 147 kg ha−1 N), followed by systems Zm-Mp/Mp (5.06 t ha−1, 101 kg N ha−1) and Zm-Mp/Zm (2.75 t ha−1, 50 kg N ha−1). Second-season maize yield was increased over that of the control by 45–58% (0.15–0.23 t ha−1) in system Zm-Mp/Zm and by 118% (0.60 t ha−1) in system Mp/Zm. Mucuna did not increase first-season maize yield. Climatic constraints make second-season maize production risky and yield increases due to mucuna are low in absolute terms, perhaps not offsetting labour costs (systems Zm-Mp/Zm and Mp/Zm) or loss of first-season maize (Mp/Zm).

Management of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) with Velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) and Herbicides

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udensi E. Udensi ◽  
I. Okezie Akobundu ◽  
Albert O. Ayeni ◽  
David Chikoye
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Herbicide Effects ◽  
Density And Biomass ◽  
Annual Weeds

Field experiments were conducted in 1992 to 1993 and in 1995 to 1996 in Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the effect of velvetbean and herbicides on maize (corn) and cogongrass growth and to assess regrowth of the weed 1 yr after treatment. In 1992 and 1995 cover cropping with velvetbean and imazapyr and glyphosate application reduced cogongrass density as much as the handweeded control. The smothering effect of velvetbean was equivalent to that of glyphosate at 1.8 kg/ha but was less than imazapyr even at the lowest rate of 0.5 kg/ha. Addition of adjuvant did not improve the efficacy of either herbicide. Maize grain yield was higher in velvetbean plots than in fallow plots dominated by cogongrass. Velvetbean and herbicide effects on cogongrass 1 yr later (1993 and 1996) followed a similar trend as observed in the year of application. Annual weed density was highest in glyphosate plots, followed by imazapyr, and least in plots previously seeded to velvetbean. Maize grain yield was higher in herbicide plots (average yield of 3,170 and 1,920 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) than in velvetbean plots (2,800 to 1,180 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) and handweeded plots (2,890 and 723 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively). In 1996 the lowest maize yield was in handweeded plots without velvetbean, suggesting that weeding four times suppressed cogongrass density and biomass, but was not sufficient to minimize the subsequent competition from annual weeds. Uncontrolled cogongrass reduced maize yield to zero. These studies suggest that planting velvetbean for cogongrass control may be a better alternative for farmers without the resources to purchase herbicides.

scholarly journals MAIZE YIELDS RESPONSE TO APPLICATION OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC INPUT UNDER ON-STATION AND ON-FARM EXPERIMENTS IN CENTRAL KENYA

2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAYNE MUGWE ◽  
DANIEL MUGENDI ◽  
JAMES KUNGU ◽  
MONICAH-MUCHERU MUNA
Keyword(s):  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Calliandra Calothyrsus ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Maize Yields ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Organic Resources ◽  
Central Kenya

SUMMARYThis study investigated the feasibility of using sole organics or a combination of organics with inorganic fertilizer to improve maize production in on-station and on-farm experiments in central Kenya. In the on-station experiment, combined application of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena trichandra and Tithonia diversifolia at 30 kg N ha−1 plus inorganic fertilizer (30 kg N ha−1) consistently gave significantly higher maize grain yields than the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (60 kg N ha−1). Sole application of calliandra, leucaena and tithonia also increased maize yields more than the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer. In the on-farm experiment, calliandra, leucaena, tithonia and cattle manure either alone or combined with inorganic fertilizer increased maize yields with a similar magnitude to that of inorganic fertilizer. These organic resources could therefore be used to supplement inorganic fertilizer as a whole or in part. There was a yield gap between on-station and on-farm trials with on-station yields having, on average, 65% greater yields than the on-farm yields. There is therefore potential for increasing yields at the farm level by closing the yield gap.

scholarly journals Assessment and Prediction of Maize Production Considering Climate Change by Extreme Learning Machine in Czechia

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2344
Author(s):  
Mansoor Maitah ◽  
Karel Malec ◽  
Ying Ge ◽  
Zdeňka Gebeltová ◽  
Luboš Smutka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Extreme Learning Machine ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Yield Prediction ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Learning Machine

Machine learning algorithms have been applied in the agriculture field to forecast crop productivity. Previous studies mainly focused on the whole crop growth period while different time windows on yield prediction were still unknown. The entire growth period was separated into each month to assess their corresponding predictive ability by taking maize production (silage and grain) in Czechia. We present a thorough assessment of county-level maize yield prediction in Czechia using a machine learning algorithm (extreme learning machine (ELM)) and an extensive set of weather data and maize yields from 2002 to 2018. Results show that sunshine in June and water deficit in July were vastly influential factors for silage maize yield. The two primary climate parameters for grain maize yield are minimum temperature in September and water deficit in May. The average absolute relative deviation (AARD), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient (R2) of the proposed models are 6.565–32.148%, 1.006–1.071%, 0.641–0.716, respectively. Based on the results, silage yield will decrease by 1.367 t/ha (3.826% loss), and grain yield will increase by 0.337 t/ha (5.394% increase) when the max temperature in May increases by 2 °C. In conclusion, ELM models show a great potential application for predicting maize yield.

scholarly journals Effects of Gibberellin (GA4+7) in Grain Filling, Hormonal Behavior, and Antioxidants in High-Density Maize (Zea mays L.)

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 978
Author(s):  
Wenwen Cui ◽  
Quanhao Song ◽  
Bingyun Zuo ◽  
Qingfang Han ◽  
Zhikuan Jia
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Filling Rate ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Grain Filling Rate ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Regulatory Effects

Dense plant cultivation is an efficient approach to improve maize production by maximizing the utilization of energy and nutrients. However, dense plant populations may aggravate the abortion rate of young grains, resulting in fewer kernels per ear. The rate and duration of grain-filling play decisive roles in maize grain yield. Therefore, to increase plant density, enhancing the grain-filling rate, extending the growth period of individual maize plants and regulating crop senescence would be the first priority. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of GA4+7 under two application methods: shanks and silks were moistened by cotton full with GA4+7 solution at concentrations of 0, 10, 60, and 120 mg L−1. The results showed that GA4+7 improved the grain-filling rate by increasing the content of auxin, gibberellin, zeatin, and abscisic acid in grains compared to control plants. In addition, the auxin, gibberellin, and zeatin contents in the grains were positively and significantly correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates. Moreover, GA4+7 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases, and peroxidases and reduced the malondialdehyde content in leaves compared with untreated plants. At the concentration of 60 mg L−1, GA4+7 showed the greatest effect on shank and silk applications (Sh-60 and Si-60) followed by 10 mg L−1 (Sh-10) for shank treatment and 120 mg L−1 (Si-120) for silk treatment. Our results suggest that a concentration of 60 mg L−1 GA4+7 for shank and silk application may be efficiently used for changing the level of hormones in grains and antioxidant enzymes in ear leaves, which may be useful for enhancing grain-filling rate and delaying leaf senescence, resulting in an increase in maize grain yield.

PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF MAIZE + GROUNDNUT ROTATIONS COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS MAIZE ON SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN ZIMBABWE

2001 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. WADDINGTON ◽  
J. KARIGWINDI
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Continuous Maize ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
On Farm

Experiments to assess the yield and economic performance of a maize-groundnut rotation compared with continuous maize (both when inorganic fertilizer was applied to maize and when not), were conducted under management by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe over six years. The experiment was planted on-station near Harare and at six smallholder sites in northeast Zimbabwe, predominantly on sandy soils. Fertilizer rates and practices were those used by farmers, as described in surveys. On-farm grain yields from continuous maize without fertilizer were generally in the range 0.5–0.8 t ha−1 over five years. Maize yield responses to inorganic fertilizer on smallholder farms were highly variable, but moderate (up to 29 kg grain per kg N) with adequate rainfall. With no inorganic fertilizer applied to maize, the on-station groundnut crop (producing 0.260–0.355 t ha−1 shelled grain) almost doubled the grain yield of the following maize crop (in 1995–96), increasing output from 2.46 t ha−1 to 4.61 t ha−1. Where inorganic fertilizer was applied to maize, the rotation produced even more additional maize grain (an increase of 2.93 t ha−1). Up to 0.50 t ha−1 extra grain was obtained in the second year of maize following groundnut (1996–97). With inorganic fertilizer, groundnut improved the grain yield of following maize crops at only two of five on-farm sites. Without fertilizer, the groundnut rotation increased maize grain yields at five on-farm sites by an average of only 0.28 t ha−1. For the on-station groundnut and two subsequent years with maize, discounted net benefits (DNBs) over cash costs (seed and fertilizer) were greater for the rotation than for continuous maize, irrespective of whether or not inorganic fertilizer was applied. When labour costs were added, continuous maize plus fertilizer showed better returns than did the rotation, while the returns for the rotation and continuous maize without fertilizer were almost the same. On-farm the rotation was far less profitable. At only two sites, DNBs over cash costs were higher for the rotation whereas DNBs over all costs (including labour valued at a local casual-worker wage) were always negative or close to zero. At three sites, it was far more profitable to grow continuous maize, especially with fertilizer. These findings of low groundnut yield, marginal to zero profitability, and high labour cost of groundnut-maize rotations, support and explain the general trend by smallholder farmers to reduce groundnut area in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals El sistema maíz-leguminosa-frijol y la fertilización mineral en terrazas de muro vivo.

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Néstor F. Nicolás ◽  
Sergio Uribe ◽  
Ernesto López ◽  
René Camacho ◽  
Antonio Turrent
Keyword(s):  
Common Bean ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Agronomic Management ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

With the aim of developing a sustainable agronomic management for the hillside agro-system that includes traditional crops maize and beans, a research was carried out from 1996 to 1998 at two locations in the South of Veracruz, Mexico. The experiment included planting of maize intercropped with two cover crop legumes (Mucuna and Canavalia) during the summer and planting Common Bean cv. Negro INIFAP in the fall. A completely randomized design arranged as split plot was utilized, with the cover legumes as main plots and six fertilizer treatments as small plots. In biomass production Mucuna was significantly superior to Canavalia and thus as nutrimental source. Weed biomass production was 52% lower in the treatments with the cover legumes as compared to the sole maize crop. No difference was found for maize seed yield among main treatments, indicating that the cover crops did not affect maize yield. In common bean the highest yield was obtained in the Mucuna and fertilization dose of 30 kg/ha N and 30 kg/ha P2O5. In conclusion Mucuna was the best cover crop in biomass production, reducing weed competition and favored mineral nutrition in Common Bean.

scholarly journals Impact of meteorological drought on agriculture production at different scales in Punjab, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waseem ◽  
Tahira Khursheed ◽  
Adnan Abbas ◽  
Ijaz Ahmad ◽  
Zeeshan Javed
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Meteorological Drought ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
The Standardized Precipitation Index

Abstract The present study aimed to quantify the impacts of the meteorological drought on the production of maize crops, using district-level observed precipitation and yield data of 21 districts across Punjab, Pakistan from 2001 to 2020. The overall analysis showed that the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) effectively reflects the variations in drought characteristics in Punjab on spatiotemporal scales. It also resulted that in south Punjab, the maize yield was negatively affected by the meteorological drought, and yield was sensitive to short-term (1 and 3 months) drought during the critical growth period of the crop. The overall analysis depicted that the meteorological drought was associated with about 27% of overall yield variations. Moreover, all of the southern districts and few districts from Central Punjab were becoming increasingly sensitive to meteorological drought where significant spatial variations in drought effects and sensitivity exist over time. Conclusively, this study showed a spatiotemporal pattern of drought and its impact on maize yield, indicating that the districts where variability in maize production was significantly associated with drought recommend adopting the management strategies and mitigation measures.

Modeling cover crop biomass production and related emissions to improve farm-scale decision-support tools

2021 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 103151
Author(s):  
Shelby C. McClelland ◽  
Keith Paustian ◽  
Stephen Williams ◽  
Meagan E. Schipanski
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Decision Support Tools ◽  
Support Tools ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Crop Biomass

Differences in warming impacts on wheat productivity among varieties released in different eras in North China

2015 ◽  
Vol 153 (8) ◽  
pp. 1353-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Y. ZHENG ◽  
J. CHEN ◽  
Z. W. SONG ◽  
A. X. DENG ◽  
L. N. JIANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
North China ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Wheat Breeding ◽  
Wheat Growth ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Significant Difference

SUMMARYTen leading varieties of winter wheat released during 1950–2009 in North China were tested in a free-air temperature increase (FATI) facility. The FATI facility mimicked the local air temperature pattern well, with an increase of 1·1 °C in the daily mean temperature. For all the tested varieties, warming caused a significant reduction in the total length of wheat growth period by 5 days and especially in the pre-anthesis period, where it was reduced by 9 days. However, warming increased wheat biomass production and grain yield by 8·4 and 11·4%, respectively, on an average of all the tested varieties. There was no significant difference in the warming-led reduction in the entire growth period among the tested varieties. Interestingly, the warming-led increments in biomass production and grain yield increased along with the variety release year. Significantly higher warming-led increases in post-anthesis biomass production and 1000-grain weight were found in the new varieties compared to the old ones. Meanwhile, a significant improvement in plant productivity was noted due to wheat breeding during the past six decades, while no significant difference in the length of entire growth period was found among the varieties released in different eras. The results demonstrate that historical wheat breeding might have enhanced winter wheat productivity and adaptability through exploiting the positive effects rather than mitigating the negative impacts of warming on wheat growth in North China.

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