scholarly journals Model-based yield gap analysis and constraints of rainfed sorghum production in Southwest Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Abera Habte ◽  
Walelign Worku ◽  
Sebastian Gayler ◽  
Dereje Ayalew ◽  
Girma Mamo
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Rainfed Farming ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Sorghum Production

Abstract For ensuring food demand of the fast growing population in developing countries, quantification of crop yield gaps and exploring production constraints are very crucial. Sorghum is one of the most important climate change resilient crops in the rainfed farming systems of semi-arid tropics. However, there is little information about yield gaps and production constraints. This study aimed at analysing existing yield gaps and exploring major constraints of sorghum production in Southwest Ethiopia. A crop simulation model approach using AquaCrop and DSSAT was used to estimate potential yield and analyse the yield gaps. Model calibration and evaluation was performed using data from field experiments conducted in 2018 and 2019. Sorghum production constraints were assessed using a survey. The actual and water-limited yield of sorghum ranged from 0.58 to 2.51 and 3.6 to 6.47 t/ha, respectively for the period 2003–17. The regional yield gaps of sorghum for the targeted period were 3.02–3.95 t/ha with a mean value of 3.51 t/ha. Majority of respondent farmers considered seasonal rainfall risk (98%), poor soil fertility (86%), lack of improved varieties (78%) and inadequate weed management (56%) as major factors responsible for the existing yield gaps. The mean exploitable yield gap (2.5 t/ha) between water-limited and actual yield showed the level of existing opportunity for improvement in the actual productivity of sorghum. The gaps also call for introduction of proper interventions such as adoption of improved varieties, planting date adjustment, conservation tillage, fertilizer application and on time weed management.

scholarly journals Rice Yield Gaps in Smallholder Systems of the Kilombero Floodplain in Tanzania

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Julius Kwesiga ◽  
Kristina Grotelüschen ◽  
Kalimuthu Senthilkumar ◽  
Daniel Neuhoff ◽  
Thomas F. Döring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Green Manures ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Yield Gaps

To meet the growing rice demand in Africa, gaps between actual and attainable yields have to be reduced. In Tanzania, this particularly concerns smallholder rain-fed production systems in the floodplains. After quantifying the existing yield gaps, key contributing factors need to be analyzed to improve site-specific management. Field experiments were conducted for three years and in three pedo-hydrological environments (fringe, middle, and center positions) of the Kilombero floodplain to evaluate: (1) The grain yield under farmers’ management (actual yield), (2) yield with the best-recommended management (attainable yield), and (3) the non-limited yield simulated by the APSIM model (potential yield). In the field, we additionally assessed incremental effects of (1) field bunding and soil levelling, (2 and 3) additionally applying of 60 kg N ha−1, as urea or as farmyard manure (FYM), and (4 and 5) incorporating in-situ-grown leguminous green manures. Attainable yields were determined with mineral N application at 120 kg ha−1, additional PK fertilizer and supplemental irrigation. On average across years and positions, the potential, the attainable, and farmers’ actual yields were 11.5, 8.5, and 2.8 t ha−1 indicating a high total yield gap. About 16–38%, 11–20%, and 28–42% of this gap could be attributed to non-controllable yield-reducing (i.e., pest and diseases), yield-limiting (i.e., water and nutrient deficiencies), and yield-defining factors (i.e., poor soil and crop management), respectively. Results indicate a closure of the exploitable yield gap (differences between attainable and farmers’ actual yields) by up to 6.5 t ha−1 (nearly 60% of the potential yield). This exploitable yield gap was larger in 2016 than in 2017. Also, the gap was larger in the water-limited fringe and middle than in the frequently submerged center positions. Simple field bunds combined with land levelling could close 15–35% of the exploitable yield gap, depending on field positions and year. FYM or green manures were less effective than mineral N; however, in 2017 and in the wetter middle and center positions, they reduced the yield gap by >50%. We conclude that yield gaps in rainfed rice in Kilombero floodplain are large, but that a site- and system-specific adaptation of crop management can close much of the exploitable yield gap and increase grain yields by 0.7–4.8 t ha−1. Similar benefits may be obtained in other hydrologically variable floodplain environments of the region and beyond.

scholarly journals Diagnosing the Climatic and Agronomic Dimensions of Rain-Fed Oat Yield Gaps and Their Restrictions in North and Northeast China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Wang ◽  
Jiangang Liu ◽  
Shuo Li ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northeast China ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Yield Gaps

Confronted with the great challenges of globally growing populations and food shortages, society must achieve future food security by increasing grain output and narrowing the gap between potential yields and farmers’ actual yields. This study attempts to diagnose the climatic and agronomic dimensions of oat yield gaps and further to explore their restrictions. A conceptual framework was put forward to analyze the different dimensions of yield gaps and their limiting factors. We quantified the potential yield (Yp), attainable yield (Yt), experimental yield (Ye), and farmers’ actual yield (Ya) of oat, and evaluated three levels of yield gaps in a rain-fed cropping system in North and Northeast China (NC and NEC, respectively). The results showed that there were great differences in the spatial distributions of the four kinds of yields and three yield gaps. The average yield gap between Yt and Ye (YG-II) was greater than the yield gap between Yp and Yt (YG-I). The yield gap between Ye and Ya (YG-III) was the largest among the three yield gaps at most sites, which indicated that farmers have great potential to increase their crop yields. Due to non-controllable climatic conditions (e.g., light and temperature) for obtaining Yp, reducing YG-I is extremely difficult. Although YG-II could be narrowed through enriching soil nutrients, it is not easy to improve soil quality in the short term. In contrast, narrowing YG-III is the most feasible for farmers by means of introducing high-yield crop varieties and optimizing agronomic managements (e.g., properly adjusting sowing dates and planting density). This study figured out various dimensions of yield gaps and investigated their limiting factors, which should be helpful to increase farmers’ yields and regional crop production, as long as these restrictions are well addressed.

scholarly journals Unravelling the variability and causes of smallholder maize yield gaps in Ethiopia

Food Security ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banchayehu Tessema Assefa ◽  
Jordan Chamberlin ◽  
Pytrik Reidsma ◽  
João Vasco Silva ◽  
Martin K. van Ittersum
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Maize Yields

AbstractEthiopia has achieved the second highest maize yield in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, farmers’ maize yields are still much lower than on-farm and on-station trial yields, and only ca. 20% of the estimated water-limited potential yield. This article provides a comprehensive national level analysis of the drivers of maize yields in Ethiopia, by decomposing yield gaps into efficiency, resource and technology components, and accounting for a broad set of detailed input and crop management choices. Stochastic frontier analysis was combined with concepts of production ecology to estimate and explain technically efficient yields, the efficiency yield gap and the resource yield gap. The technology yield gap was estimated based on water-limited potential yields from the Global Yield Gap Atlas. The relative magnitudes of the efficiency, resource and technology yield gaps differed across farming systems; they ranged from 15% (1.6 t/ha) to 21% (1.9 t/ha), 12% (1.3 t/ha) to 25% (2.3 t/ha) and 54% (4.8 t/ha) to 73% (7.8 t/ha), respectively. Factors that reduce the efficiency yield gap include: income from non-farm sources, value of productive assets, education and plot distance from home. The resource yield gap can be explained by sub-optimal input use, from a yield perspective. The technology yield gap comprised the largest share of the total yield gap, partly due to limited use of fertilizer and improved seeds. We conclude that targeted but integrated policy design and implementation is required to narrow the overall maize yield gap and improve food security.

scholarly journals Yield Gap Survey in Sudanno-Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Baba I. Y. Inusah ◽  
Wilson Dogbe ◽  
Alhassan Lansah Abdulai ◽  
Julius Yirzagla ◽  
Michael Mawunya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Land Preparation ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Rice Yields

<p>Yield gap survey (YGS) was carried out in nine selected communities in the Sudanno-Guinea Savannah (SGS) rice growing ecologies of Ghana in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. One lead farmer was selected from each community to host researcher-managed fields. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the causes of yield gaps in rain fed and irrigated ecologies of the SGS of Ghana and to suggest ways by which the gaps can be bridged to enhance the production of the crop in Ghana</p> <p>In both 2012 and 2013 seasons, farmers in the Sudan savannah zone recorded higher gaps in rice yields (average 55%) than their compatriots in the Guinea Savannah (average 49%). The analysis of data collected from YGS indicated that factors such as difficult weather and soil conditions, insufficient access to mechanization services/improper land preparation, lack of fertilizers, the use of unimproved rice seed, untimely field operations and inadequate water and pest (in particular weed) management, were some of the key factors that adversely influence rice yields in the study area<em>.</em></p> <p>Unrestricted access to mechanization services delivery, intensified use of improved rice seed, appropriate melioration with organic and inorganic fertilizers, together with robust soil and water management interventions are essential requirements for bridging experiment-based yield gaps for enhanced rice yields in the Sudanno-Guinea Savannah zones of Ghana.</p>

Comparative yield gaps, economic impact and constraint analysis in front line demonstrations of soybean and black soybean in Uttarakhand hills

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (05) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Bhartiya ◽  
N. Chandra ◽  
R. S. Pal ◽  
J. . Aditya ◽  
Jyoti Bajeli
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Black Soybean ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Production Technologies

Soybean and black soybean are important kharif crops which play a vital role in nutritional and livelihood security in Uttarakhand hills. Considering the scope of improvement in productivity through the improved varieties and recommended production technologies, front line demonstrations were conducted by ICAR-VPKAS, Almora during Kharif 2015 and 2016. The present study revealed that the average technology gap for black soybean (1.58 q/ha) was lower than soybean (7.87 q/ha) at farmer’s field which is suggesting the need to further develop better performing varieties in black soybean than existing ones as the potential yield levels of improved varieties are easily achievable in given environment. The extension gap for black soybean (5.57 q/ha) and soybean (6.25 q/ha), exhibiting the potential of improving productivity by understanding the causes of yield gaps and abridging them with proper interventions. In terms of economic impact based on benefit cost ratio in front line demonstrations, the cultivation of black soybean (1.0) was found more profitable than soybean (0.94) besides, better feasibility of improved technological interventions in black soybean at farmer’s field revealed by lower technology index of black soybean (12.72%) than soybean (39.10%). An insight on various constraints causing yield gaps and potential interventions to mitigate them have also been discussed.

scholarly journals Economics of Milk Production and Yield Differentials among the Marginal Women Farmers of Jharkhand State in India

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Aniketa Horo ◽  
B. S. Chandel
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fixed Cost ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Average Productivity ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Crossbred Cow

Aim: To determine the economics of milk production and yield gaps of crossbred cow, buffalo and indigenous cow in Jharkhand State of India. Study Design: The study was designed to cater the scope of production economics in reality by suggesting ways to bridge the yield gaps. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted using 130 beneficiary farmers in Hazaribagh and Khunti districts of Jharkhand during the 2016-17 agricultural year. Methodology: As per the technique of the yield gap analysis, developed by Gomez (1977), the total yield gap is the sum of Yield Gap I (YG I) and Yield Gap II (YG II). The various cost components were identified under fixed cost and variable cost. Gross returns and net returns were then calculated accordingly. Results: The sampled households were post-stratified into two groups: Group 1 abbreviated as G1, having less than or equal to 2 lactating animals and Group 2 as G2, having more than two lactating animals. The proportion of G1 and G2 households were about 79 and 21 per cent, respectively. The results of data analysis reflected that milk yield gap between potential yield and actual yield (YG II) was higher than yield gap between experimental yield and potential yield (YG I) for both household groups across all the type of dairy animals. The YG II in crossbred cow was more than two times higher on G1 farm as compared to G2 farm while it was more than five times higher in local cow. The average productivity of crossbred (9.23 litres/ day) was much higher than the average productivity of buffalo (6.09 litres) and local cow (4.98 litres/day). Conclusion: Overall value of total yield gap (TYG) entails that if all the constraints regarding the milk production were tackled then the milk yield of the two districts could be increased by about 43 per cent. Buffalo was providing higher net returns per day per animal (Rs. 7.39) in comparison to crossbred (Rs. 5.19). Net returns both for per day and per litre were negative in case of local cow. The study reveals that the marginal farmers can become economically stable by incorporating dairying (crossbred and buffalo) as a component in their farming system.

Bio-efficacy of post emergence herbicides in boro rice nursery as well as main field and their residual effects on non-target microorganisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-210
Author(s):  
Rajib Kundu ◽  
Mousumi Mondal ◽  
Sourav Garai ◽  
Ramyajit Mondal ◽  
Ratneswar Poddar
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Resistance Index ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Main Field ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Similar Treatment

Field experiments were conducted at research farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal, India (22°97' N latitude and 88°44' E longitude, 9.75 m above mean sea level) under natural weed infestations in boro season rice (nursery bed as well as main field) during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the herbicidal effects on weed floras, yield, non-target soil organisms to optimize the herbicide use for sustainable rice-production. Seven weed control treatments including three doses of bispyribac-sodium 10% SC (150,200, and 250 ml ha-1), two doses of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 9.3% EC (500 and 625 ml ha-1), one weed free and weedy check were laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Among the tested herbicides, bispyribac-sodium with its highest dose (250 ml ha-1) resulted in maximum weed control efficiency, treatment efficiency index and crop resistance index irrespective of weed species and dates of observation in both nursery as well as main field. Similar treatment also revealed maximum grain yield (5.20 t ha-1), which was 38.38% higher than control, closely followed by Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (625 ml ha-1) had high efficacy against grasses, sedge and broadleaf weed flora. Maximum net return (Rs. 48765 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.72) were obtained from the treatment which received bispyribac-sodium @ 250 ml ha-1. Based on overall performance, the bispyribac-sodium (250 ml ha-1) may be considered as the best herbicide treatment for weed management in transplanted rice as well as nursery bed.

scholarly journals Wheat yield gaps across smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
João Vasco Silva ◽  
Pytrik Reidsma ◽  
Frédéric Baudron ◽  
Moti Jaleta ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Yield Gaps

AbstractWheat yields in Ethiopia need to increase considerably to reduce import dependency and keep up with the expected increase in population and dietary changes. Despite the yield progress observed in recent years, wheat yield gaps remain large. Here, we decompose wheat yield gaps in Ethiopia into efficiency, resource, and technology yield gaps and relate those yield gaps to broader farm(ing) systems aspects. To do so, stochastic frontier analysis was applied to a nationally representative panel dataset covering the Meher seasons of 2009 and 2013 and crop modelling was used to simulate the water-limited yield (Yw) in the same years. Farming systems analysis was conducted to describe crop area shares and the availability of land, labour, and capital in contrasting administrative zones. Wheat yield in farmers’ fields averaged 1.9 t ha− 1 corresponding to ca. 20% of Yw. Most of the yield gap was attributed to the technology yield gap (> 50% of Yw) but narrowing efficiency (ca. 10% of Yw) and resource yield gaps (ca. 15% of Yw) with current technologies can nearly double actual yields and contribute to achieve wheat self-sufficiency in Ethiopia. There were small differences in the relative contribution of the intermediate yield gaps to the overall yield gap across agro-ecological zones, administrative zones, and farming systems. At farm level, oxen ownership was positively associated with the wheat cultivated area in zones with relatively large cultivated areas per household (West Arsi and North Showa) while no relationship was found between oxen ownership and the amount of inputs used per hectare of wheat in the zones studied. This is the first thorough yield gap decomposition for wheat in Ethiopia and our results suggest government policies aiming to increase wheat production should prioritise accessibility and affordability of inputs and dissemination of technologies that allow for precise use of these inputs.

scholarly journals Methodology of Analyzing Maize Density Loss in Smallholder’s Fields and Potential Optimize Approach

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Zhichao An ◽  
Chong Wang ◽  
Xiaoqiang Jiao ◽  
Zhongliang Kong ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Density Difference ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Farmer Decision Making ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Farmer Survey ◽  
Experimental Plots

Increasing plant density is a key measure to close the maize (Zea mays L.) yield gap and ensure food security. However, there is a large plant density difference in the fields sown by agronomists and smallholders. The primary cause of this phenomenon is the lack of an effective methodology to systematically analyze the density loss. To identify the plant density loss processes from experimental plots to smallholder fields, a research methodology was developed in this study involving a farmer survey and measurements in a smallholder field. The results showed that the sowing density difference caused by farmer decision-making and plant density losses caused by mechanical and agronomic factors explained 15.5%, 5.5% and 6.8% of the plant density difference, respectively. Changing smallholder attitudes toward the value of increasing the plant density could help reduce this density loss and increase farm yields by 12.3%. Therefore, this methodology was effective for analyzing the plant density loss, and to clarify the primary causes of sowing density differences and plant density loss. Additionally, it was beneficial to identify the priorities and stakeholders who share responsibility for reducing the density loss. The methodology has wide applicability to address the sowing density differences and plant density loss in other areas to narrow crop yield gaps and ensure food security.

Inter-row Cultivation Timing Effects on Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) Control and Sugarbeet Yield and Quality

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
Nathan H. Haugrud ◽  
Thomas J. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Sucrose Content ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Crop Canopy ◽  
Control Practice ◽  
Amaranthus Tuberculatus ◽  
Residual Herbicide ◽  
Weed Emergence

Abstract The invasion of waterhemp into northern sugarbeet growing regions has prompted producers to re-integrate inter-row cultivation into weed management programs as no currently registered herbicides can control glyphosate-resistant waterhemp POST in crop. Inter-row cultivation was a common weed control practice in sugarbeet until the release of glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet cultivars in 2008 made the use of inter-row cultivation unnecessary. In the late 2010s, producers began again to use inter-row cultivation to remove weeds that glyphosate did not control, but producers need information on the effectiveness and safety of inter-row cultivation when used with soil residual herbicide programs. Efficacy and tolerance field experiments were conducted in Minnesota and North Dakota from 2017 to 2019. Results from the efficacy experiment demonstrated cultivation improved waterhemp control 11% and 12%, 14 and 28 DAT, respectively. Waterhemp response to cultivation was dependent on crop canopy and precipitation after cultivation. Cultivation had minimal effect on waterhemp density in three environments, but at one environment, near Galchutt, ND in 2019, waterhemp density increased 600% and 196%, 14 and 28 DAT, respectively. Climate data indicated Galchutt, ND in 2019 received 105 mm of precipitation in the 14 days following cultivation and had an open crop canopy which likely contributed to further weed emergence. Results from the tolerance experiment demonstrated root yield and recoverable sucrose were not affected by cultivation timing or number of cultivations. In one environment, cultivating reduced sucrose content by 0.8% regardless of date or cultivation number, but no differences were found in three environments. In-season cultivation can damage/destroy leaf tissue which is likely responsible for the reduction in sucrose content. Results indicate cultivation can be a valuable tool to control weeds that herbicide cannot, but excessive rainfall and open crop canopy following cultivation can create an environment conducive to further weed emergence.

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