Correction: Rugira et al. Application of DSSAT CERES-Maize to Identify the Optimum Irrigation Management and Sowing Dates on Improving Maize Yield in Northern China. Agronomy 2021, 11, 674

The increase in irrigated maize plantings in Northern China has increased the demand for irrigation water in the region, resulting in chronic water shortages in drier years. Efficient irrigation and water use are essential for the sustainable development and management of water resources in the area. This research applied DSSAT-maize in the Loess Plateau (Fenhe basin) to determine the suitable irrigation management and optimum sowing dates to ensure the stability of spring maize production. The model was calibrated using the full irrigation treatment of 2017–2019 growing seasons. Crop data, such as plant phenological phases, aboveground biomass, crop yield, and leaf area index, were used for model calibration. The calibration showed great consistency between the measured and simulated data, with nRMSE (normalized root mean square error) ranging from 0.77% to 21.6%. The field values of crop yield, aboveground biomass, LAI, soil water content, and water use efficiency were used to evaluate the calibrated model’s performance, the model evaluation was found to be satisfactory with acceptable nRMSE ranging from 1.9% to 25.3%. Optimum simulated sowing dates for increased productivity and water efficiency were between 15 and 25 May. The optimum irrigation timing and volume of irrigation water application were 85 mm at the tasseling phase and 85 mm at the grouting phase respectively. Therefore, the yield of maize can be increased by applying irrigation and altering the sowing date in case rainfall is insufficient to satisfy the water demand of the crops in the Fenhe basin.

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Irrigation Management Reform in Northern China: Case Studies in Shanxi Province

Irrigation and Drainage ◽

10.1002/ird.1901 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 193-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

He Li ◽

Sylvain R. Perret

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Northern China ◽

Shanxi Province ◽

Management Reform

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Optimization of Sowing Date, Irrigation, and Nitrogen Management of Summer Maize Using the DSSAT-CERES-Maize Model in the Guanzhong Plain, China

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.13654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 789-797

Author(s):

Hongzheng Shen ◽

Fangping Xu ◽

Rongheng Zhao ◽

Xuguang Xing ◽

Xiaoyi Ma

Keyword(s):

Maize Yield ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Nitrogen Management ◽

Agricultural System ◽

Model Parameters ◽

List Type ◽

Summer Maize ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Dssat Model

HighlightsGood applicability of DSSAT was validated in simulating summer maize yield in the Guanzhong Plain, China.Optimal sowing dates of summer maize were obtained for different climatic years.The optimal irrigation and nitrogen management strategy conserved water and nitrogen. Abstract. Agricultural system models play an important role in simulating crop growth processes and water and fertilizer regulation in arid regions. To solve the current problems of optimizing the sowing date in different climatic years and the fertilizer application in low-precipitation conditions in the Guanzhong Plain, China, this study used two years (2016-2017) of experimental summer maize field data to calibrate and validate Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) model parameters. The validated DSSAT model was then used to simulate and optimize sowing dates, irrigation, and fertilization of summer maize crops in the Guanzhong Plain. The relative root-mean-square error (nRMSE) between the measured and simulated values of summer maize crop yield was 8.57%, proving that the established DSSAT model and crop parameters were highly reliable. The nRMSE values for soil water content and nitrate-nitrogen were 7.86% and 8.72%, respectively, which indicated better simulation results. The optimal sowing date for summer maize in the Guanzhong Plain were mid- to late June, mid-June, and early to mid-June in wet, general, and dry years, respectively. The irrigation and nitrogen strategies for summer maize in the climatic years were as follows: 60 mm and 180 kg ha-1 in wet years, 60 mm and 180 kg ha-1 in general years, and 150 mm and 150 kg ha-1 in dry years. This study provides a scientific decision-making method for the production of summer maize to conserve water and fertilizer. Keywords: . Climatic year, DSSAT, Guanzhong Plain, Sowing date, Summer maize.

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Response of dryland maize yield to fertilization rate and planting density at different sowing dates in early-maturity areas

CHINESE JOURNAL OF ECO-AGRICULTURE ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1011.2013.30581 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (12) ◽

pp. 1449-1458

Author(s):

Dong-Mei ZHANG ◽

Wei ZHANG ◽

En-Ke LIU ◽

Chun-Xia JIANG ◽

Qiong CHEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maize Yield ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Planting Density ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Sowing Dates

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Management options for reducing maize yield gaps in contrasting sowing dates

Field Crops Research ◽

10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107779 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 251 ◽

pp. 107779 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lucas N. Vitantonio-Mazzini ◽

Lucas Borrás ◽

Lucas A. Garibaldi ◽

Diego H. Pérez ◽

Santiago Gallo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maize Yield ◽

Management Options ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Yield Gaps

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Evaluating RZWQM2-CERES-Maize and Water Production Functions for Predicting Irrigated Maize Yield and Biomass in Eastern Colorado

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.13045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 213-223

Author(s):

Nathan Q. Sima ◽

Allan A. Andales ◽

R. Daren Harmel ◽

Liwang Ma ◽

Thomas J. Trout

Keyword(s):

Production Function ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Crop Model ◽

Biomass Estimation ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Water Production ◽

Local Soil ◽

Fort Collins

Abstract. Complex crop models have been developed to simulate the interactions among biophysical processes and to extend experimental results beyond the local soil and climate conditions. However, in-depth studies on a model’s capability to predict crop growth under different conditions are sparse, and the question of whether a crop model outperforms a simple water production function (WPF) has not been answered. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive ability of a complex crop model with simple WPFs for yield and biomass estimation at three sites (Greeley, Fort Collins, and Akron) in eastern Colorado. Specifically, the CERES-Maize crop model in the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2), which has been applied extensively in eastern Colorado for simulating maize growth, was compared to crop WPFs based on irrigation and rainfall amounts during growing seasons. Results showed that the predictive ability of CERES-Maize depended on which datasets were used for model parameterization, and that WPFs in general performed as good as or better than CERES-Maize based on a modified F-test after considering experimental uncertainties. The ability of CERES-Maize and the WPF derived from Greeley (2008-2011) to predict maize yield in Greeley (2012-2013), Fort Collins (2006-2010), and Akron (1984-1986) depended on year and site. WPFs outperformed CERES-Maize for Greeley (2012-2013) and Fort Collins (2006-2010) but performed similarly for Akron (1984-1986). This study also identified the need to improve crop model responses to water stress, especially at different growth stages, for cropping systems models to be adequate for estimating the impacts of irrigation management on yield. Ultimately, the choice between the use of a complex crop model and a simpler WPF depends on the purpose of the user and the required accuracy. Keywords: Biomass, CERES-Maize, DSSAT, Grain yield, Irrigation management, RZWQM, Water production function.

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Challenges to the Adaptation of Double Cropping Agricultural Systems in Brazil under Changes in Climate and Land Cover

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos11121310 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1310

Author(s):

Livia Maria Brumatti ◽

Gabrielle Ferreira Pires ◽

Ana Beatriz Santos

Keyword(s):

Land Cover ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Climate Models ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Climate Scenarios ◽

Agricultural Systems ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Double Cropping ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Rainfall Reduction

The wide adoption of highly productive soy–maize double cropping has allowed Brazil to become one of the main producers and exporters of these commodities. However, land cover and climate change could affect the viability of double cropping due to a shortening of the rainy season, and both crops could be affected. The goals of this study were to evaluate if adaptation measures such as adoption of shorter-cycle cultivars and delaying sowing dates are effective to maintain soybean and maize yield in the main producing regions in Brazil. We used a crop model and four climate models to simulate double cropping in two climate scenarios that differ in Amazonia and Cerrado deforestation levels. We tested if 10 soybean and 17 maize sowing dates and three cultivar combination could reduce the impacts of a shorter rainy season in double cropping yield and gross revenue. Results showed a decrease in maize yield due to a delay of soybean sowing dates and rainfall reduction during the growing season. Adaptation through delaying sowing dates and the adoption of short cycle cultivars was not effective to maintain system revenue in all the study regions in a scenario with high deforestation levels.

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Monitoring and Modelling Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield Gap in Smallholder Farming in Ghana

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10090420 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 420

Author(s):

Eric Owusu Danquah ◽

Yacob Beletse ◽

Richard Stirzaker ◽

Christopher Smith ◽

Stephen Yeboah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Production Systems ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Rooting Depth ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Crop Density ◽

Set Up

Modelling and multiple linear regression were used to explore the reason for low maize yield in the Atebubu-Amantin and West Mamprusi Districts of Ghana, West Africa. The study evaluated maize yields on twenty farms against measures of soil fertility, agronomic attributes and soil water availability. Correlations between yield, soil fertility, rain, crop density, and weed biomass, were low, and no single factor could explain the low yields. A 50-year virtual experiment was then set up using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) to explore the interactions between climate, crop management (sowing date and nitrogen fertilization) and rooting depth on grain yield and nitrate (NO3-N) dynamics. The analysis showed that a lack of optimal sowing dates that synchronize radiation, rainfall events and nitrogen (N) management with critical growth stages explained the low farm yields.

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Effects of fertilizer under different dripline spacings on summer maize in northern China

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-98016-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ge Li ◽

Youlu Bai ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Yanli Lu ◽

Jingjing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Development ◽

Northern China ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Drip Line ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Environmentally Sound ◽

Fertilization Level ◽

Row Space ◽

High Fertilization

AbstractMaximizing grain yields with effective fertilization technologies and minimizing nitrogen losses is essential in agroecosystems. In this research, we conducted a two-year field experiment to explore whether dripline spacing and fertilization rate would affect maize grain yield. Two dripline spacings (i.e., one drip line per row of maize with a row space of 60 cm and one drip line per two rows of maize) and two fertilization rates (i.e., high fertilization level: N, 180 kg ha−1; P2O5, 90 kg ha−1; and K2O, 90 kg ha−1 and low level: N, 139.5 kg ha−1; P2O5, 76.5 kg ha−1; and K2O, 76.5 kg ha−1) were employed in this research. The results showed that maize yield was significantly affected by both dripline spacing and fertilization rate. The maize yield was 10.2% higher in the treatment with one drip line per two rows than that in the treatment with one drip line per row. Maize yield increased by 10.9% at the high fertilization level compared to that at the low fertilization level. The quantity of cumulative ammonia volatilization was reduced by 15.1% with one drip line per two rows compared to that with one drip line per row, whereas it increased by 26.9% at the high fertilization level compared with that at the low fertilization level. These results indicated that one drip line per two rows with a high fertilization rate increased the yield and could reduce the environmental burden, which may be economically beneficial and environmentally sound for maize fertigation for green agricultural development.

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Effects of different crop years and sowing date on maize yield

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/59/2011 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 93-96

Author(s):

Gergő Sedlák ◽

Adrienn Széles

Keyword(s):

Maize Yield ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Small Region ◽

Initial Development ◽

Yield Level ◽

Maize Seeds ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Modifying Effect ◽

Dry Soil ◽

Comprehensive Study

We carried out the tests in the flood meadow soil formed on the alluvial cone of Nagykereki, Sebes-Körös belonging to the Bihar plane small region. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of the different sowing date of maize on the yield trend based on a comprehensive study conducted for 6 years (2007–2012). The sowing date of maize hybrids is a factor that significantly influences yield, however, its effect is not significant in each crop year. In the years when the date of sowing has a modifying effect, the reliable yield level can be reached with optimal sowing date management (24 April). The advantage of early sowing (10 April) proved to be dominant in the year of 2012, the seeds were placed into the still wet soil therefore shooting was more balanced. Maize seeds sown at the time of optimal (24 April) and late (10 May) sowing dates were placed into the already dry soil, which deteriorated germination and the strength of early initial development that had an effect on the yield.

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