scholarly journals Optimizing the Sowing Date to Improve Water Management and Wheat Yield in a Large Irrigation Scheme, through a Remote Sensing and an Evolution Strategy-Based Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 3789
Author(s):  
Salwa Belaqziz ◽  
Saïd Khabba ◽  
Mohamed Hakim Kharrou ◽  
El Houssaine Bouras ◽  
Salah Er-Raki ◽  
...  

This study aims to investigate the effects of an optimized sowing calendar for wheat over a surface irrigation scheme in the semi-arid region of Haouz (Morocco) on irrigation water requirements, crop growth and development and on yield. For that, a scenario-based simulation approach based on the covariance matrix adaptation–evolution strategy (CMA-ES) was proposed to optimize both the spatiotemporal distribution of sowing dates and the irrigation schedules, and then evaluate wheat crop using the 2011–2012 growing season dataset. Six sowing scenarios were simulated and compared to identify the most optimal spatiotemporal sowing calendar. The obtained results showed that with reference to the existing sowing patterns, early sowing of wheat leads to higher yields compared to late sowing (from 7.40 to 5.32 t/ha). Compared with actual conditions in the study area, the spatial heterogeneity is highly reduced, which increased equity between farmers. The results also showed that the proportion of plots irrigated in time can be increased (from 40% to 82%) compared to both the actual irrigation schedules and to previous results of irrigation optimization, which did not take into consideration sowing dates optimization. Furthermore, considerable reduction of more than 40% of applied irrigation water can be achieved by optimizing sowing dates. Thus, the proposed approach in this study is relevant for irrigation managers and farmers since it provides an insight on the consequences of their agricultural practices regarding the wheat sowing calendar and irrigation scheduling and can be implemented to recommend the best practices to adopt.

MAUSAM ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
NEHA PAREEK ◽  
SUMANA ROY ◽  
A.S. NAIN ◽  
SMITA GUPTA ◽  
GAURAVKUMAR CHATURVEDI

The ideal sowing period is critical for maximizing the crop's yield potential under specific agroclimatic conditions (Nain, 2016; Patra et al., 2017). It influences the phenological stages of the crop's development and, as a result, the efficient conversion of biomass into economic yield. During rabi 2013-14, a field research was done at GBPUA&T's Borlaug Crop Research Centre to determine the best sowing dates for wheat crops employing Aquacrop model. Aquacrop model has been calibrated against vegetative and economic yield forthree sowing dates, viz., 3rd December, 18th December and 3rd January (Pareek et al., 2017). After calibrating the Aquacrop model, a set of conservative variables was obtained (Pareek et al., 2017). Afterward, the calibrated Aquacrop model was used to validate wheat yield and biomass for three years in a row, namely 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The model subsequently used to simulate yield under different sowing dates. For all of the tested years, the simulation findings of the Aquacrop model reflected the observed crop yields and biomass of wheat. The model was used to simulate the optimum sowing week based on varying sowing dates and produced grain yield for a period of 10 years (Malik et al., 2013). The average and assured yield of wheat was worked out based on probability analysis (60, 75 and 90%). The optimum sowing time for Tarai region of Uttarakhand was suggested as first week of November followed by second week of November (Nain, 2016). In no case wheat should be sown during third week of November and beyond due to poor assured yield and average yield (Nain, 2016). The finding of the studies will help to increase productivity and production of wheat crop in Tarai region of Uttarakhand.  


Author(s):  
Madhuri Dubey ◽  
Ashok Mishra ◽  
Rajendra Singh

Abstract The changing climate affects natural resources that impart a negative impact on crop yield and food security. It is thus imperative to identify agro-climate wise, area-specific adaptation options to ensure food security. This study, therefore, evaluated some feasible adaptation options for two staple food grain crops, rice and wheat, in different agro-climatic regions (ACRs) of Eastern India. Alteration in transplanting date, seedling age, and fertilizer management (rate and split of fertilizer) for rice; and sowing date, fertilizer management, and deficit irrigation scheduling for wheat, are assessed as adaptation options. Crop environment and resource synthesis (DSSAT) model is used to simulate the crop yield using different plausible adaptation options to projected climate scenarios. Findings show that shifting transplanting/sowing date, and nitrogen fertilizer application at 120% of recommended nitrogen dose with four splits could be an effective adaptation for rice and wheat crops. Results also emphasize that transplanting of 18 days older seedlings may be beneficial in rice cultivation. In contrast, irrigation at a 30–40% deficit of maximum available water would sustain the wheat yield under climate change conditions. This study suggests the best combination of adaptation options under climate change conditions in diverse ACRs, which may assist agriculturists in coping with climate change.


MAUSAM ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-574
Author(s):  
R. K. MALL ◽  
B. R. D. GUPTA ◽  
K. K. SINGH

The Soil-Plant-Atmosphere- Water (SPA W) model has been calibrated and validated using field experiment data from 1991-92 to 1993-94 for wheat crop at Varanasi district. Long-term (1973-74 to 1995-96) daily weather data were combined with general observation of wheat growth and soils to provide daily water budgets for 23 years. The model was calibrated with one year detailed crop growth characteristics and soil water observations and validated with another year soil water observations. The daily-integrated water stress index (WSI) values at the end of crop season correlated quite well with observed grain yield in this region.   The water budget analysis shows a distinct optimum sowing period from 5th to 25th November and  an optimum sowing date on 15th November with minimal water stress index. These results demonstrate the potential of SPA W model for planning irrigation scheduling and water management for wheat crop in this region.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Desale Kidane Asmamaw ◽  
Pieter Janssens ◽  
Mekete Dessie ◽  
Seifu A. Tilahun ◽  
Enyew Adgo ◽  
...  

This study assessed farmers’ soil and irrigation water management practices, perceptions, and major constraints at Koga, a large-scale irrigation scheme in Ethiopia. Key informant interviews, structured and semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field visits were used for data collection. Soil samples were collected for the assessment of soil properties and a comparison with the respondents’ perception of soil-related constraints. A total of 385 respondents were involved in the questionnaire. All of the respondents had a good perception of soil acidity and its management strategies. Respondents’ perception was in line with the mean soil pH, soil texture, infiltration rate, exchangeable acidity, and soil organic carbon obtained from lab analysis and field tests. Soil acidity, unwise use of water, water scarcity, and lack of market linkages hampered the performance of the Koga irrigation scheme. Yet, respondents had a low awareness of irrigation water management. Farmers never used irrigation scheduling, but apply the same amount of water regardless of the crop type. As a result, low yield and water use efficiency were reported. To reduce soil acidity, an adequate lime supply for farmers with hands-on training on how to apply it would be desirable. Farmers should be aware of how to design effective irrigation scheduling and adopt water-saving management strategies.


Author(s):  
Ivana Koláčková ◽  
Daria Baholet ◽  
Hana Abigail Gruberová ◽  
Vladimír Smutný ◽  
Petr Elzner ◽  
...  

Sorghum is a forage species important in animal nutrition with an increased potential in the upcoming difficulties in agricultural practices in regard to climate change. Therefore, this paper describes its yield and nutritional parameters depending on growing conditions simulated on two locations (humid and fertile Obora, less fertile and dry Písky), two sowing dates (29. 5. and 25. 6.), and variety (11 varieties). Fresh matter yield was determined by weighing the sample on the field immediately after harvest, Dry matter yield and nutritional content were determined in laboratory by Weende analysis from dried and homogenized samples. Nutritional parameters measured were crude fibre, fat, nitrogen and ash content. Additionally, digestibility of organic as well as dry matter was determined. No significant differences in average fresh matter yield or dry matter yield were found between the two locations and sowing dates in general. There were significant differences among varieties, the highest yields were measured in KWS Zerberus (51.57 ± 3.76 t/ha of fresh matter yield, 15.98 ± 1.34 t/ha of dry matter yield, with higher values observed on Písky). Our data suggest, that sowing date does significantly affect fat content (higher in June sowing). Other nutritional parameters were also higher in sorghum sown in June, with the exception of ash. Nutritional composition of samples did not significantly differ variety to variety, however, there were differences in digestibility of the biomass. Organic matter digestibility was 70.58–85.67%, dry matter digestibility was 73.21–86.70%, with highest digestibility in DMS 45-480. Varieties with the highest importance to farmers in the area are KWS Zerberus, KWS Tarzan and KWS Kallisto (based on dry matter yield), and Triumfo BMR, Sweet Susana and DSM 45-480 (based on digestibility). Sorghum was able to perform well even on dry sandy soil with lower fertilization, which shows the high variability and suitability of sorghum in agricultural practice.


MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-682
Author(s):  
J. L. CHAUDHARY ◽  
S. R. PATEL ◽  
N. MANIKANDAN ◽  
RAJESH KHAVSE ◽  
P. K. VERMA

Field experiment was conducted during Rabi seasons of 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 at Research and Instructional Farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur to examine and study the phenology, accumulation of growing degree days (GDD), heliothermal units (HTU), photothermal unit (PTU) and performance of wheat (Triticum aestivam L.) of four wheat varieties grown under five different sowing dates in factorial Randomized Block Design. It was observed that GDDs got reduced significantly with subsequent delay in sowing time. For our study purpose and as per package of practices, 25 November D1 can be taken as early sowing and D2 - 5 December as timely sowing conditions.  The wheat varieties Amar and Sujata took highest GDD, HTU and PTU to maturity.  On the mean basis the variety Kanchan produced highest grain yield (3147 kg/ha) followed by GW-273 (2947 kg/ha).  The significant reduction in grain yield was recorded when sowing was delayed beyond D2 - December 05.  Among the wheat varieties Kanchan showed better performance in terms of RUE followed by GW-273 and Sujata. Highest HUE was observed in wheat variety Kanchan followed by Sujata and GW-273. Varieties giving higher yield, RUE and HUE are identified under varying growing environments so as to suggest the appropriate sowing dates of wheat varieties in Chhattisgarh plains. GDD is giving consistent results as its variability is least varying between 3.4-5.3 per cent for different varieties and therefore it is reliable index for studying environmental effects on wheat in this region. Lowest RUE was observed under 5 January sowing (D5) in the all varieties which leads to conclusion that this sowing date must be avoided and wheat crop sowing must be completed latest by 25 December to avoid adverse effects on productivity.       


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
JATOTH VEERANNA ◽  
A. K. MISHRA

To achieve effective water allocation and planning, the information about Lentil crop water requirements, irrigation withdrawals, soil types and climate conditions were gathered from the study area i.e. Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh (A.P). The main objectives of the study area wereto estimate the Lentil crop water requirement (i.e., evapotranspiration) and deciding the proper sowing time in semi-arid agro-climatic conditions.The CROPWAT 8.0 was used to estimate the climatic water deficit, net irrigation requirement (NIR) and gross irrigation requirement (GIR) under different rainfed and irrigated conditions with six different growing dates with aninterval of 10 days.The results showed that the best sowing dates were last week of September to 1st week of October, which gives thebest utilization of rainfall as effective rainfall. The net and gross irrigation requirement(NIR and GIR) varied from a minimum to maximum as 69.7 mm, 110.3 mm, 78.2 mm, 119.4 mm, 114 mm and 165.9 mm; respectively for all sowing dates. Thus by adopting a proper sowing date and irrigation scheduling criteria, it is possible to save 49.7 mm of water as NIR for theearly sown crop.


1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 717 ◽  
Author(s):  
MP Reynolds ◽  
M Balota ◽  
MIB Delgado ◽  
I Amani ◽  
RA Fischer

Sixteen spring wheat genotypes were grown under hot, irrigated, low latitude conditions, during the 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 winter cropping cycles in Mexico, Egypt, India and the Sudan, and in the 1990 and 1991 winter cycles in Brazil. The genotypes were chosen to represent a range of genetlc diversity within modem wheat varieties. In addition to grain yield, in Mexico a number of morphological and physiological traits were measured throughout the growing season on two sowing dates (December and February), to evaluate their correlation with yield in the other countries. The morphological traits - above-ground biomass at maturity, grains m-2, days to anthesis and days to maturity - measured on both sowing dates in Mexico showed generally significant correlations with yields measured at the other sites. Moreover, ground-cover estimates early in establishment, and at anthesis, also showed some association with performance at these sites, but only when measured on the hotter, February sowing date in Mexico. Membrane thermostability (MT), measured on field-acclimated flag leaves showed generally significant correlations with performance at all sites, and with MT measurements made on heat- acclimated seedlings of the same genotypes grown in growth chambers. Flag-leaf photosynthesis measured at booting, anthesis and during grain filling on both sowing dates, was generally significantly correlated with grain yield at all sites, as was rate of loss of leaf chlorophyll content during grain filling. Stomatal conductance was also significantly correlated with performance at all three stages. Canopy temperature depression (CTD) measured with an infrared thermometer was significantly positively correlated with performance at the international sites when measured between 1200 and 1600 hours, after full canopy establishment. The correlation of CTD with yield was not affected by the irrigation status of the crop under well-watered conditions. The possible use of these traits in selection for yield under hot conditions is discussed.


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