Simulated crop productivity on different soils in Canada

Abstract

Crop productivity on different soils across the Canadian Prairies was studied based on average yield of spring wheat simulated by the Cropping System Model in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT). The simulations were conducted with estimated seeding dates, and both recommended nitrogen fertilizer application rates and unlimited nitrogen, for a comparison. The simulated yields represent the effect of soils on wheat productivity fairly well, although actual production might be different as local crop management practices, such as crop cultivars, fertilizer application rates and summerfallowing could have critical effects on final yields. Simulated yields with recommended and unlimited nitrogen fertilizer showed a very good relation, implying that the relative productivity on most soils was determined more by soil properties than nitrogen fertilizer application. The results also indicate that crop yield might be improved on most soils with higher nitrogen fertilizer application rates.