Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment最新文献

{"title":"Improving rotational partners: Intraspecies variation for pea cover cropping traits","authors":"Edward Marques,&nbsp;Lauren Kerwien,&nbsp;Erika Bueno,&nbsp;Eric Bishop-von Wettberg","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20490","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20490","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To improve cover crops such as peas (<i>Pisum sativum</i>), as rotational partners, intraspecific variation for cover cropping traits such as nutrient mobilization, carbon deposition, and beneficial microbial recruitment must be identified. The majority of research on cover crops has focused on interspecies comparisons for cover cropping variation with minimal research investigating intraspecies variation. To address if variation of cover cropping traits is present within a cover cropping species, we grew 15 diverse accessions (four modern cultivars, three landraces, and eight wild accessions) of pea in a certified organic setting. We measured various cover cropping traits, such as nutrient mobilization, soil organic matter deposition, and microbial recruitment, and quantified the effect of pea accession on the growth and yield of a subsequently planted crop of corn (<i>Zea mays</i>). We discovered that the domestication history of pea has a significant impact on soil properties. Specifically, domesticated peas (modern cultivars and landraces) had higher average plant–soil feedback values for amounts of nitrogen, carbon, and manganese compared to wild peas. Additionally, no variation for prokaryotic recruitment (α- and β-diversity) was observed within pea; however, we did observe significant variation for fungal recruitment (α- and β-diversity) due to domestication and accession. Our results demonstrate that there is variation present in peas, and likely all crops, that can be selected to improve them as rotational partners to ultimately boost crop yields in sustainable agroecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20490","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140291416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of the interaction between potassium nutrition and plant disease control","authors":"C. C. Ortel,&nbsp;T. L. Roberts,&nbsp;J. C. Rupe","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20489","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient involved in many physiological and biochemical functions that affect a plant's susceptibility to disease. These processes include stomatal regulation, enzyme activation, and solute transport, each of which is often discussed through the lens of either plant nutrition or plant disease control. However, the interaction between these stresses and the resulting physiological and agronomic impact is an important consideration when managing a cropping system as a whole and is scarcely addressed in the literature. Therefore, a review of the literature was focused on the interaction of K nutrition and the resulting impact on plant disease control. Nutrient management, especially K, can manipulate these essential plant processes to provide the host plant with either an advantage or disadvantage in disease susceptibility, depending on the pathogen and the situation. Numerous studies have been conducted investigating the individual pathogen and host relationships, concluding that the majority of bacterial and fungal diseases decreased with increasing K nutrition, while viral diseases and nematode infections had inconsistent responses to K nutrition. These differences in the response of disease to K nutrition complicate generalizations across species and environments. Similarly, the impact of K on plant growth is affected by the concentration of each nutrient and its ratio with other nutrients. Therefore, a review of the major physiological processes that depend on plant K nutrition is discussed below with the resulting impact on plant disease control.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20489","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140291418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritive value and forage accumulation of a black oat germplasm in the northeastern United States","authors":"David M. Jaramillo,&nbsp;Kathy Soder,&nbsp;Ann Blount,&nbsp;Jose C. B. Dubeux,&nbsp;Stephen Harrison","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20484","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20484","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Black oat (<i>Avena strigosa</i> Schreb.) might be an attractive forage species in the northeastern United States, since it is generally more heat tolerant and disease resistant than other cool-season grasses. Black oat is currently recommended for fall and winter production in USDA Plant Hardiness ones 8b–10a, which is beyond the northeastern United States (Zones 2a–6a). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as “UF1” through “UF10”) for forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out in April–July 2022 in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. Triticale (× <i>Triticosecale</i> Wittmack cv. TriCal 342) and Legend 567 oat (<i>Avena sativa</i> L.) were included as controls, as well as Haden oat and Gunner triticale, as regionally recommended cultivars. The forage accumulation within the black oat germplasm ranged from 364 to 864 lb dry matter (DM) acre⁻¹, observed in UF7 and UF9, respectively, during the first harvest. During the second harvest, forage accumulation within black oat ranged from 1048 to 1408 lb DM acre⁻¹, from UF8 and UF1, respectively. Crude protein concentrations ranged from 16% to 23% across all black oats, with no differences found within the germplasm. The IVDOM concentrations averaged 78% across all treatments during the first harvest and decreased to 66% during the second harvest. Overall, this study showed that black oat merits further evaluation as forage species in the northeastern United States, but further studies are required to address management of the species.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20484","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140192288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing nitrogen application rates for winter canola in Mississippi","authors":"Praveen Gajula,&nbsp;Gurbir Singh,&nbsp;Gurpreet Kaur,&nbsp;Jagmandeep Dhillon","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20480","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20480","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The production of canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.) in the United States is low, whereas the demand is high. Most US canola research is centered in the Midwest, with minimal to no research in Southern states including Mississippi. Therefore, a study was conducted in Mississippi to assess the feasibility of canola as a double crop with soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) rotation and determine its optimum nitrogen (N) requirement. After canola was harvested, soybean was planted within the same experimental plots. In total, six N treatments (0 [control], 34, 67, 101, 135, and 168 kg N ha⁻¹) were applied to canola and replicated four times across all site-years in a randomized complete block design. The application of N increased seed yield, aboveground biomass, and N content compared to the control in canola. Across all site-years, the highest seed yield was 1726 kg ha⁻¹ at 168 kg N ha⁻¹. Moreover, N uptake, plant height, and test weight were highest at 135 kg N ha⁻¹, which were 76%, 21%, and 44% greater than control, respectively. Oil content and seed weight were inversely related to N rates indicating dilution with increased N. Overall, 141 kg N ha⁻¹ was found to be the agronomic optimum nitrogen rate, and no further supplementation was deemed necessary to maximize canola yield in Mississippi. Additionally, the following soybean crop benefitted from the N applied to canola and produced greater yields. This study establishes that canola has the potential for double cropping without adversely affecting subsequent soybean yield, provided optimum N rates are applied.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20480","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140104332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salt and heavy metal stress responses and metal uptake potentials of some leafy vegetables","authors":"Ayse Gul Nasircilar,&nbsp;Kamile Ulukapi,&nbsp;Bulent Topcuoglu,&nbsp;Seckin Kurubas,&nbsp;Mustafa Erkan","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20487","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Abiotic stress conditions caused by increasing anthropogenic activities over the years necessitate using marginal waters in agricultural irrigation and pose a risk to public health by causing salt stress and heavy metal pollution in the soil. The study exposed rocket (<i>Eruca sativa</i> L.), cress (<i>Lepidium sativum</i> L.), and parsley (<i>Petroselinum crispum</i> Mill.) plants to heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr at rates of 300, 140, 75, 300, 3, and 100 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) and salt stress (3, 6, and 9 dS m⁻¹). Both stress conditions affected plant growth negatively. Biomass losses reaching 88% occurred in the rocket, which was determined to be more sensitive to salt stress than heavy metal stress. In parsley, on the other hand, it was determined that the above-ground organs were more affected by salt stress, but the negative effect of heavy metal stress on the roots was higher than salt stress. In cress, the cultivars produced different responses to stress factors. The Zeybek cultivar was more affected by salt stress, and Bahargülü was more affected by heavy metal stress. In general, an increase in macro- and micronutrients was found under stress conditions. In addition, it was determined that the plants were hyper-accumulative in terms of lead absorption and were sorted as cress &gt; parsley &gt; rocket in terms of metal uptake. According to these findings, these plants should be grown taking into account the lead values in the soil, and consumers should be aware that they are a group of vegetables that accumulate lead.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20487","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140066523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of residual activity of pre-emergence herbicides for control and seed production of multiple herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth in food-grade white corn","authors":"Ramandeep Kaur,&nbsp;Parminder S. Chahal,&nbsp;Yeyin Shi,&nbsp;Nevin C. Lawrence,&nbsp;Stevan Z. Knezevic,&nbsp;Amit J. Jhala","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20483","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Nebraska is the number-one producer of food-grade white corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) in the United States. Food-grade white corn has not been genetically engineered; therefore, non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate or glufosinate cannot be used. Multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) Palmer amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i> S. Watson) populations have been reported in multiple counties in Nebraska, and their management is a challenge, particularly for white corn producers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the residual activity of pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides for acetolactate synthase inhibitor (halosulfuron-methyl)/atrazine/glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth control, density, biomass, seed production, and grain yield in food-grade white corn. Field experiments were conducted during summer 2020 and 2021 in a grower's field infested with MHR Palmer amaranth near Carleton, NE. All the PRE herbicides resulted in similar control (&gt;90%) 30 days after PRE application (DAPRE) apart from atrazine (64%). At 45 DAPRE, acetochlor/mesotrione, atrazine/bicyclopyrone/mesotrione/<i>S</i>-metolachlor, and acetochlor/clopyralid/mesotrione controlled 90%–95% Palmer amaranth. Acetochlor/clopyralid/mesotrione and atrazine/bicyclopyrone/mesotrione/<i>S</i>-metolachlor provided 96%–99% MHR Palmer amaranth control and reduced Palmer amaranth density and biomass to 2–4 plants m⁻² and 5–12 g m⁻² 60 DAPRE. The highest corn yields of 12,139 kg ha⁻¹ and 12,093 kg ha⁻¹ in 2020 and 2021, respectively, were obtained with acetochlor/clopyralid/mesotrione. Palmer amaranth seed production was least with acetochlor/clopyralid/mesotrione (32,894 seeds m⁻²). Tested residual PRE herbicides did not show corn injury and were safe to use in food-grade white corn. It is concluded that acetochlor/clopyralid/mesotrione and atrazine/bicyclopyone/mesotrione/<i>S</i>-metolachlor are the best options for early season control of MHR Palmer amaranth in food-grade white corn.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20483","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140066522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of weed seed and seedling emergence from poultry litter","authors":"Stephanie B. Kulesza,&nbsp;Ramon G. Leon,&nbsp;Stephanie C. Sosinski,&nbsp;Grace M. Kilroy,&nbsp;Brittani Meis,&nbsp;Miguel S. Castillo,&nbsp;Melissa L. Wilson","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20479","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20479","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In areas surrounding large poultry industries, poultry litter is often an alternative nitrogen fertilizer for crop production. However, farmers who have not used poultry litter in the past have concerns regarding potential weed seed contamination. A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of germinable weed seed in poultry litters (<i>n</i> = 61) submitted by growers and industry representatives across North Carolina. In a 9:1 potting media:poultry litter mix, a single grass seed germinated from the 61 surveyed poultry litters, equating to 0.3 viable seeds 100 g⁻¹ poultry litter. Viable seed content averaged 1.1 seeds 100 g⁻¹ litter using the extractable seedbank method on 25% of the litters from the survey, much higher than the grow out method, and the majority of seeds found were <i>Amaranthaceae</i>. A growth chamber experiment was then conducted and demonstrated that there was a negative relation between poultry litter application and weed seedling emergence. There was a 65%, 75%, and 85% reduction in <i>Senna obtusifolia</i> (L.) H.S. Irwin &amp; Barneby<i>, Setaria pumila</i> (Poir.) Roem. &amp; Schult., and <i>Amaranthus palmeri</i> S. Watson germination, respectively, from the control to highest application rate of poultry litter (26.9 Mg ha⁻¹). A laboratory study showed that poultry litter leachates can decrease seed radicle length and integrity and is likely due to osmotic or salinity stress. The weed seed content in litter as well as the negative impact of poultry litter and its leachates on weed seedling emergence make it unlikely that poultry litter applications will significantly increase seedbanks above levels commonly observed in agricultural fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20479","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140000767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Winter cover cropping to improve soil health in semiarid, irrigated cropping systems of Central Oregon","authors":"Clare S. Sullivan,&nbsp;Markus Kleber","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20481","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A 1-year experiment was conducted in Madras, OR, to examine the ability of winter cover crops (CCs) to improve physical, chemical, and biological soil properties over a bare fallow control. Competition for water is frequently seen as an obstacle to cover cropping in semiarid, irrigated systems. Benefits from CCs need to be demonstrated and quantified in regions such as Central Oregon's high desert for growers to make cost/benefit analysis decisions. To support such decisions, the effect of eight winter CC treatments (two brassicas, four legumes, two cereal mixtures) on five agronomic parameters and 39 soil health indicators (0–5 cm) were measured in the spring of 2019 after 8 months of CC growth. We identified four soil indicator response patterns in reference to the fallow: (i) steady improvement over fallow across all CCs (16 indicators, with hairy vetch and turnip being most efficient); (ii) marked improvement over fallow but somewhat constant response among CCs (organic C and N, surface hardness); (iii) negligible change from fallow; and (iv) varied response to CCs including both a deterioration and an improvement of soil health. Overall, 13 soil health indicators and five agronomic parameters responded significantly to CC treatment. CCs generated a stronger response of soil chemical and biological parameters than physical (average 82%, 79%, and 18% improvement over fallow, respectively). Hairy vetch had the greatest positive impact on soil biological and chemical properties but the lowest average impact on physical indicators. Winter CCs do offer soil health benefits in Central Oregon but should not be viewed as a short-term fix to physical soil deficiencies. Our study provides strong evidence for the general ability of CCs to improve soil health in water-limited systems. It also demonstrates the need for further studies focused on multiyear rotations, especially related to the improvement of soil physical properties such as soil moisture availability.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20481","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139993980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water regime and fertilizer-phosphorus source effects on greenhouse gas emissions from rice","authors":"Diego Della Lunga,&nbsp;Kris R. Brye,&nbsp;Trenton L. Roberts,&nbsp;Jonathan Brye,&nbsp;Michelle Evans-White,&nbsp;Daniel J. Lessner,&nbsp;Christopher G. Henry","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20482","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>) systems have been correlated to water management practice, but to date, no study has directly evaluated three main GHGs (i.e., methane [CH₄], nitrous oxide [N₂O], and carbon dioxide [CO₂]) under flood- and furrow-irrigated conditions at the same time as affected by various fertilizer-phosphorus (P) sources, in particular the reportedly slow-release struvite-P source. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water regime (flooded and furrow-irrigated) and fertilizer-P source (diammonium phosphate, chemically precipitated struvite, electrochemically precipitated struvite [ECST], triple superphosphate, and an unamended control) on GHG emissions and two- and three-gas global warming potentials (GWP* and GWP, respectively) in the greenhouse. Methane emissions were 10 times greater (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) under flooded (29.4 kg CH₄ ha⁻¹ season⁻¹) than under furrow-irrigated conditions (2.9 kg CH₄ ha⁻¹ season⁻¹), and four times lower (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) with ECST (3.4 kg CH₄ ha⁻¹ season⁻¹) than other fertilizer-P sources, while CO₂ emissions were three times greater (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) under furrow-irrigated (23,428 kg CO₂ ha⁻¹ season⁻¹) than under flooded (8290 kg CO₂ ha⁻¹ season⁻¹) conditions. The GWP* under furrow-irrigated conditions was almost 40% lower (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) than under flooded conditions. Although N₂O emissions were unaffected by fertilizer-P source, the N₂O contribution to GWP* was more than 80% under furrow-irrigated conditions. Flood- and furrow-irrigated water regimes require diversified approaches in GHG mitigation, where the best management for ECST needs to be more fully evaluated.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20482","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139987359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agronomic management response in maize (Zea mays L.) production across three agroecological zones of Kenya","authors":"Harison Kiplagat Kipkulei,&nbsp;Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura,&nbsp;Marcos Lana,&nbsp;Gohar Ghazaryan,&nbsp;Roland Baatz,&nbsp;Custodio Matavel,&nbsp;Mark Boitt,&nbsp;Charles B. Chisanga,&nbsp;Brian Rotich,&nbsp;Rodrigo Martins Moreira,&nbsp;Stefan Sieber","doi":"10.1002/agg2.20478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20478","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) productivity in Kenya has witnessed a decline attributed to the effects of climate change and biophysical constraints. The assessment of agronomic practices across agroecological zones (AEZs) is limited by inadequate data quality, hindering a precise evaluation of maize yield on a large scale. In this study, we employed the DSSAT-CERES-Maize crop model (where CERES is Crop Environment Resource Synthesis and DSSAT is Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) to investigate the impacts of different agronomic practices on maize yield across different AEZs in two counties of Kenya. The model was calibrated and evaluated with observed grain yield, biomass, leaf area index, phenology, and soil water content from 2-year experiments. Remote sensing (RS) images derived from the Sentinel-2 satellite were integrated to delineate maize areas, and the resulting information was merged with DSSAT-CERES-Maize yield simulations. This facilitated a comprehensive quantification of various agronomic measures at pixel scales. Evaluation of agronomic measures revealed that sowing dates and cultivar types significantly influenced maize yield across the AEZs. Notably, AEZ II and AEZ III exhibited elevated yields when implementing combined practices of early sowing and cultivar H614. The impacts of optimal management practices varied across the AEZs, resulting in yield increases of 81, 115, and 202 kg ha⁻¹ in AEZ I, AEZ II, and AEZ III, respectively. This study underscores the potential of the CERES-Maize model and high-resolution RS data in estimating production at larger scales. Furthermore, this integrated approach holds promise for supporting agricultural decision-making and designing optimal strategies to enhance productivity while accounting for site-specific conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7567,"journal":{"name":"Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/agg2.20478","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139915682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}