scholarly journals Calibration and Validation of the EPIC Model for Maize Production in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Junior Choruma ◽  
Juraj Balkovic ◽  
Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Epic Model ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
Maize Cultivars

Crop models are useful tools to evaluate the effects of agricultural management on ecosystem services. However, before they can be applied with confidence, it is important to calibrate and validate crop models in the region of interest. In this study, the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was evaluated for its potential to simulate maize yield using limited data from field trials on two maize cultivars. Two independent fields at the Cradock Research Farm were used, one for calibration and one for validation. Before calibration, mean simulated yield was 8 t ha−1 while mean observed yield was 11.26 t ha−1. Model calibration improved mean simulated yield to 11.23 t ha−1 with a coefficient of determination, (r2) = 0.76 and a model efficiency (NSE) = 0.56. Validation with grain yield was satisfactory with r2 = 0.85 and NSE = 0.61. Calibration of potential heat units (PHUs) and soil-carbon related parameters improved model simulations. Although the study only used grain yield to calibrate and evaluate the model, results show that the calibrated model can provide reasonably accurate simulations. It can be concluded that limited data sets from field trials on maize can be used to calibrate the EPIC model when comprehensive experimental data are not available.

scholarly journals Weed control efficacy of hoe weeding and commercially formulated mixture of metolachlor + prometryn herbicide under maize production in soil amended with biochar

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78
Author(s):  
Olusegun Raphael Adeyemi ◽  
David Obaloluwa Hosu ◽  
Patience Mojibade Olorunmaiye ◽  
Adeniyi Adebowale Soretire ◽  
Joseph Aremu Adigun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Manual Weeding

Abstract Successful cultivation of maize depends largely on efficient weed control, adequate supply of essential nutrients and sufficient soil moisture. Screenhouse and field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria during the early and late cropping season of 2013 to evaluate effects of biochar integrated with manual weeding and pre-emergence herbicides on weed control efficiency and productivity of maize. The screenhouse trial was a 6 × 5 factorial experiment fitted into Completely Randomized Design in three replicates. The two factors were biochar: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t ha−1 and weed control methods: weedy check, hoe weeding at 6 Weeks After Sowing (WAS), hoe weeding at 3, 6, and 9 WAS, pre-emergence herbicide application (Codal Gold) at 1.0 and 2.0 kg a.i./ha−1. The field trial was laid out in split-plot arrangement fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. The three main treatments plots on the field consisted of the optimum rates of biochar obtained in the screenhouse (10 t ha−1) compared with 20 t ha−1 and 0 t ha−1 which served as the control. The sub-plots treatments consisted of weed control methods used in the screen house experiment. Data were collected on grain yield and weed dry matter. The result showed that biochar at 10 and 20 t ha−1 in the screenhouse and field trials, respectively, resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher grain yield compared with other rates tested. Highest grain yield was obtained in pots hoe weeded thrice at 3, 6 and 9 WAS. Whereas similar grain yield was recorded in plot weeded once at 6 WAS and that hoe weeded at 3, 6 and 9 WAS in the field experiment. Biochar application of 20 t ha−1 gave optimum maize yield. Among the weed control treatments manual weeding either at 6 WAS or at 3, 6 and 9 WAS recorded the highest grain yields. Therefore, incorporation of biochar with either preemergence herbicide or manual hoe weeding would enhance the growth and yield of maize.

scholarly journals Ameliorative Effects of Calcium Sprays on Yield and Grain Nutritional Composition of Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars under Drought Stress

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abbas ◽  
Hashim Abdel-Lattif ◽  
Mohamed Shahba
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Regime ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Total Sugars ◽  
Maize Cultivars

Drought stress is seriously affecting maize production. To investigate the influence of calcium (Ca) foliar application on maize production and chemical composition of grains under drought stress, two experiments were carried out at Cairo University Research Station, Giza, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019. The experimental design was split-split plot design with a completely randomized blocks arrangement with three replications. Water regimes were assigned to the main plots [100 (control), 75, and 50% of estimated evapotranspiration]. Calcium levels (zero and 50 mg/L) were assigned to the sub plots. Maize cultivars (SC-P3444, Sammaz-35 and EVDT) were assigned to the sub-sub plots. Three maize cultivars were sprayed with Ca solution concentration (50 mg/L) under normal and drought conditions. The control treatment (0 mg/L) was sprayed with an equal amount of distilled water for comparison. Results indicated a significant decrease in total yield and grain characteristics [protein, ash, total sugars, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and iron (Fe) contents] as a response of drought. Calcium foliar application significantly increased maize yield, protein, ash, carbohydrates, starch, total sugars, and ionic contents of grains, except for manganese (Mn), under all irrigation levels. Based on the drought tolerance index (DTI), only cultivar SC-P3444 showed drought tolerance while cultivars Sammaz-35 and EVDT were sensitive to drought stress. Foliar application of Ca on SC-P3444 cultivar achieved the highest grain yield per hectare (8061 kg) under the water regime of 100% of the total evapotranspiration, followed by Sammaz-35 (7570 kg), and EVDT (7191 kg) cultivars. At the water regime of 75% of estimated evapotranspiration (75% irrigation), Ca foliar application increased grain yield by 16, 13 and 14% in SC-P3444, Sammaz-35, and EVDT, respectively. At the water regime of 50% of the estimated evapotranspiration (50% irrigation), Ca foliar application increased grain yield by 17, 16, and 13% in SC-P3444, Sammaz-35, and EVDT, respectively. In brief, Ca had a clear impact on productivity and grain quality with important implications for maize yield under normal and water stress conditions. Our findings demonstrate that foliar application of Ca enabled drought stressed maize plants to survive better under stress. The most water stress tolerant cultivar was SC-P3444 followed by Sammaz-35 and EVDT under drought stress.

scholarly journals Agronomic and molecular evaluation of maize inbred lines for drought tolerance

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e0711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Mikić ◽  
Miroslav Zorić ◽  
Dušan Stanisavljević ◽  
Ankica Kondić-Špika ◽  
Ljiljana Brbaklić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Maize Breeding ◽  
Heterotic Groups ◽  
Maize Inbred Lines

Drought is a severe threat to maize yield stability in Serbia and other temperate Southeast European countries occurring occasionally but with significant yield losses. The development of resilient genotypes that perform well under drought is one of the main focuses of maize breeding programmes. To test the tolerance of newly developed elite maize inbred lines to drought stress, field trials for grain yield performance and anthesis silk interval (ASI) were set in drought stressed environments in 2011 and 2012. Inbred lines performing well under drought, clustered into a group with short ASI and a smaller group with long ASI, were considered as a potential source for tolerance. The former contained inbreds from different heterotic groups and with a proportion of local germplasm. The latter consisted of genotypes with mixed exotic and Lancaster germplasm, which performed better in more drought-affected environments. Three inbreds were selected for their potential drought tolerance, showing an above-average yield and small ASI in all environments. Association analysis indicated significant correlations between ASI and grain yield and three microsatellites (bnlg1525, bnlg238 and umc1025). Eight alleles were selected for their favourable concurrent effect on yield increase and ASI decrease. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by the markers varied across environments from 5.7% to 22.4% and from 4.6% to 8.1% for ASI and yield, respectively. The alleles with strongest effect on performance of particular genotypes and their interactions in specific environments were identified by the mean of partial least square interactions analysis indicating potential suitability of the makers for tolerant genotype selection.

scholarly journals Yield maximization of maize through nutrient management

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
NU Mahamood ◽  
Z Ferdous ◽  
M Anwar ◽  
R Ali ◽  
M Sultana
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Negative Impacts

Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is a problem in the intensive cropping systems on the Northern part of Bangladesh. Proper nutrient management is essential to maximize maize production and sustain agricultural production while minimizing negative impacts on the soil fertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate nutrient dynamics, maize yields and soil fertility in response to balanced fertilization. A field experiment (2009–2010) was conducted at FSRD site Lahirirhat, OFRD, Rangpur during rabi season 2009-2010 to evaluate Maximizing maize production through nutrient management. Five treatments viz.T1= N300P50K150S30, T2=P50K150S30, T3= N300K150S30, T4= N300P50S30 and T5= N300P50K150were evaluated for this purpose. The result indicated that the highest grain yield (8.37 t/ha) was found from T1= N300P50K150S30 treatment. The lowest grain yield (7.33 t/ha) was obtained from T2=P50K150S30 treatment. The gross return (Tk.100107/ha) and gross margin (Tk.44951/ha) was higher with T1 and T3 treated plot. It may be concluded that proper nutrient management may be the good alternatives for maximizing maize yield and management of soil health at Rangpur region in Bangladesh.Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 428-434, 2016

scholarly journals Gas exchange and putrescine content as drought stress indicators in corn cultivars fertilized with silicon

2020 ◽  
pp. 1252-1258
Author(s):  
Hudson Carvalho Bianchini ◽  
Douglas Jose Marques
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Transpiration Rate ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Maize Cultivars ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Negative Impacts

The effects of drought stress on maize have been extensively reported in tropical and subtropical areas, including morphological changes in plants and reductions in the grain yield. The development of sustainable alternatives that help mitigate the negative impacts of water stress is indispensable for the development of agricultural crops. This study evaluates the effect of silicon fertilization in two irrigation blades, on gas exchange, putrescine content, quantification of Ca, K, Zn, and Fe by neutron activation and grain yield in two maize cultivars, tolerant and sensitive to drought stress. Two experiments were conducted, the first using BR-1010 (sensitive to drought stress) and the second using DKB-390 (tolerant to drought stress), in 19 dm-3 pots with one plant in each pot. The experiment was organized in randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme, combining two irrigation blades (30 percent and 100 percent of necessary water replacement) and two silicon conditions per pots: control (-Si), and 27g Si (+Si) using calcium silicate (10.5 percent Si) with four replicates. The contents of putrescine, Ca, K, Zn, and Fe, as well as transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthetic contents were quantified. Maize yield was measured at the end of the study. It was concluded that supplementation with Si contributes to a 12 percent increase in yield for BR-1010 (drought sensitive) and 14 percent for DKB-390 (drought tolerant). Si increased the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance in DKB-390. The content of putrescine increased in plants submitted to drought stress and can be considered as an indicator of drought stress. The leaf contents of Ca, K, Zn, and Fe varied according to the cultivars and water blade studied.

scholarly journals Thermal Time Requirements for Maize Growth in Northeast China and Their Effects on Yield and Water Supply under Climate Change Conditions

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 2612
Author(s):  
Na Mi ◽  
Fu Cai ◽  
Shujie Zhang ◽  
Yushu Zhang ◽  
Ruipeng Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Thermal Time ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Maize Cultivars

Northeast China (NEC) is a region sensitive to climate change. However, the adoption of long-season maize cultivars in NEC has caused a substantial yield increase under climate change conditions. It is important to determine whether such cultivar adoptions are effective throughout the whole NEC to sustainably increase grain yield. In this study, phenological observations and meteorological data at six sites from 1981 to 2018 were used to detect thermal time (TT) trends during the maize growing period. TT, as a parameter for measuring changes in maize cultivars, was used in the crop simulation model CERES-Maize to examine the variations in maize yield produced with different cultivar × climate combinations in different decades. In NEC, both TTs from emergence to anthesis and from anthesis to physiological maturity showed significant increasing trends from 1981 to 2018. Simulation results for humid areas revealed that adopting longer-season cultivars during 2000–2018 caused yield increases, ranging from 6.3% to 13.3%, compared with the 1980s. However, for stations in semi-humid areas, maize grain yield showed a decrease or a small increase (from −12.7% to 8.0%) when longer-season cultivars were adopted during 2000–2018. For semi-humid areas, decreasing trends in the ratios of rainfed yield to no water-stress yield (Yrainfed/Yno water-stress) and lower Yrainfed/Yno water-stress values during 2000–2018 indicated a growing sensitivity of maize production to water, which was attributed to changes in TT and precipitation. Our results indicate that, for the semi-humid area, maize yield was limited by water after introducing cultivars with higher TT requirement under climate change conditions. Therefore, securing food supplies will depend on increases in water-use efficiency levels and other adaptive strategies, such as varietal diversification, drought-resistant varieties, conservation tillage and irrigation.

scholarly journals Improving the growth, lodging and yield of different density-resistance maize by optimising planting density and nitrogen fertilisation

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 453-460
Author(s):  
Yanan Zhao ◽  
Yufang Huang ◽  
Shuai Li ◽  
Xu Chu ◽  
Youliang Ye
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
N Application ◽  
Maize Growth ◽  
Maize Cultivars ◽  
Ear Height ◽  
N Rates

Matching the planting density, fertilisation, and genotype is crucial to improve the maize yield. Here, two-year field trials, including 4 densities and 3 nitrogen (N) rates for 2 maize cultivars, were conducted to study the effects of planting density and N rate on maize growth, lodging, spike characters, and yield. Compared with 360 kg/ha, N application of 180 kg/ha decreased the plant, ear height, and stem circumference of WeiKe 702 (WK702), while increased the plant height and stem circumference, but decreased ear height of ZhongDan 909 (ZD909). Meanwhile, the N application of 180 kg/ha greatly reduced the lodging rates of maize under the high density. The maize yield increased and reached the maximum yield at 7.5 × 10<sup>4</sup> plant/ha, and then decreased with increasing density. The N application of 180 kg/ha increased yield by 0.49, 0.73, 5.38, 7.81% from low to high planting densities, and reduced the bald tip length by 18.86%. WK702 was more sensitive to the planting density and N application, with greater variation of yield and spike traits than ZD909 under the densification. Therefore, the N application of 180 kg/ha and a density of 7.5 × 10<sup>4</sup> plant/ha could improve maize growth and lodging, and therefore increase maize yield.  

scholarly journals Improving Maize Yield on Ferric Lixisol by NPK Fertilizer Use

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Nurudeen ◽  
F. M. Tetteh ◽  
M. Fosu ◽  
G. W. Quansah ◽  
A. S. Osuman
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Ecological Zone ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Npk Fertilizer ◽  
Sudan Savanna ◽  
Benefit Cost

<p>The experiment was conducted to refined profitable NPK fertilizer rate for maize production on <em>Tanchera</em> series (Ferric Lixisol, FAO, 2006) in the Sudan savanna agro-ecological zone of Ghana. RCBD design with four replications was used. Treatments evaluated were N = 0, 40, 80, 120, 160; P = 0, 45, 90 and K = 0, 45, 90 kg/ha. Results showed significant N rate effect on grain yield, benefit cost ratio and gross return (P ≤ 0.01). P and K did not show significant effect among these parameters. Application of nitrogen from 80-120 kg/ha may be recommended for improve grain yield and gross return of maize production on Ferric lixisol. Due to poor nature of soils, application of P and K up to 45 kg/ha may also be recommended for maize production.</p>

scholarly journals Simulation of growth and yield of rainfed maize under varied agronomic management and changing climatic scenario in Nawalparasi, Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-133
Author(s):  
Umesh Shrestha ◽  
Lal Prasad Amgain ◽  
Tika Bahadur Karki ◽  
Khem Raj Dahal
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
Maize Cultivars ◽  
Spring Maize ◽  
The Impact

Correction: Figure 3 was corrupted and so the PDF was replaced on 29th December 2016 with the corrected Figure 3.A field experiment and simulation modeling study in combination for different maize cultivars planted at different sowing dates were accomplished at Kawasoti-5, Nawalparasi during spring season of 2013 to assess the impact of climate change scenario as predicted by IPCC in rainfed spring maize by using CSM-CERES-Maize model. Result showed that RML-4/RML-17 produced higher kernel rows/ ear (13.77), kernel per row (30.42) and test weight (244.9 g). Significantly higher grain yield was also found for RML-4/RML-17 (6.03 t/ha) compared to Poshilo makai-1 (4.73 t/ha), Arun-2 (3.55 t/ha) and Local (2.92 t/ha). Earlier sowing date (7th April) actually produced higher kernel/row (27.97), kernel rows/ear (12.89) and 1000 grain weight (230 g). Significantly higher grain yield (5.13t/ha) was obtained in earlier sowing date (7th April). The CSM-CERES-Maize model was calibrated and found well validated with days to anthesis (RMSE= 0.426 day and D-index= 0.998), days to physiological maturity (RMSE=0.674 day and D-index= 0.999), number of grain/m2 at maturity (RMSE= 85.287 grain /m2 and D-index= 0.993), unit weight at maturity (RMSE=0.012 g/kernel and D-index= 0.854) and grain yield (RMSE=54.94 kg/ha and D-index= 1.00). The model was found sensitive to climate change parameters. The sensitivity for various climate change parameter indicated that there was severely decreased trend in simulated rainfed spring maize yield with the increment of maximum and minimum temperature, decrease in solar radiation and decrease carbondioxide concentration. Even 2°C rise in temperature can decrease around 15-20% yield of spring maize and this negative effect was even more pronounced in hybrid than other cultivars.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):123-133DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34289

scholarly journals SASAKAWA TECHNOLOGY A PANACEA TO MAIZE YIELD IMPROVEMENT AND MEETING THE VAGARIES OF CLIMATE CHALLENGE IN MUBI

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 194-201
Author(s):  
Mohammed D. Toungos
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
External Input ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Sowing Dates

This study determines the efficacy of Sasakawa technology to maize yield improvement and meeting the demand of the populace in terms of food crop production at the time of unpredictable weather conditions in Mubi. The field trials were conducted during the 2017 cropping season at the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa state University Mubi to evaluate the effect of Sasakawa Technology as a panacea to maize yield improvement and meeting the vagaries of climate change in Mubi. Mubi, located in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Mubi is situated between latitude 100 10’’ and 100 30’’ North of the Equator and between longitude 130 10 and 130 30’’ E of the Greenwich meridian and at an altitude of 696 m above mean sea level (MSL). Extra early white (EEW) variety of maize was obtained from Farm office of the University, were sown at three different sowing dates 19th July, 29th July and 8th August, 2018. There was a large yield difference between the Sasakawa Technology of maize production and local farmers’ output in Mubi, despite the limited opportunities to sustainability and increase in the productivity of the crop in order to adapt to vagaries of climate change. Yields recorded during the three sowing dates were 2,967kg/ha, 2,930kg/ha and 2,921kg/ha while on the neighboring farmer’s field was 1,897kg/ha. It indicated that, the Sasakawa technology used in terms of spacing of 25cm x 25cm between plants and 75cm x75cm between rows, single seed per stand and appropriate fertilizer application increased maize yield more than the neighboring farmers fields. The Sasakawa technology recorded mostly two cobs per stand, longer cobs mean lengths with maximum grain filled and the grains were significantly bigger when compared to the farmer’s fields. Even though some critics argue that, Sasakawa Global 2000 technology deals with high-external-input technologies (HEIT) which are too costly to some farmers, but the out – put out weights the input in terms of yields, economic returns and also sustained the vagaries of climatic effects due to timely sowing and maintenance of the Sasakawa technology techniques. To boost maize production in Mubi and at this time of unpredictable climate and its effects, the Sasakawa technology is recommended to be adopted by the farmers.

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