Model Applications for Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Based Smallholder Cropping in a Changing World

Ollenburger, Mary; Snapp, Sieglinde S.

doi:10.2134/advagricsystmodel5.c14

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Maize-legume intercropping and the use of organic fertilizer in the form of manure or compost are widely recognized as "sustainable" agricultural practices by agronomists and soil scientists (Droppelmann, Snapp, & Waddington, 2017;Mpeketula & Snapp, 2018;Ollenburger & Snapp, 2014). 3 Organic fertilizer can be produced in a renewable manner, locally, and can enhance soil structure and water retention capacity, encourage the growth of beneficial microorganisms and earthworms, and decrease bulk density (Bronick & Lal, 2005;Chen, 2006,).…”

Section: Si Of Maize Production In Tanzaniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Does sustainable intensification of maize production enhance child nutrition? Evidence from rural Tanzania

Kim

Mason

Snapp

et al. 2019

Agricultural Economics

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Food insecurity, child malnutrition, and land degradation remain persistent problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural sustainable intensification (SI) has been proposed as a possible solution to simultaneously address these challenges. Yet there is little empirical evidence on if agricultural management practices and inputs that contribute to SI from an environmental standpoint do indeed improve food security or child nutrition. We use three waves of data from the nationally-representative Tanzania National Panel Survey to analyze the child nutrition effects of rural households' adoption of farming practices that can contribute to the SI of maize production. We group households into four categories based on their use of three soil fertility management practices on their maize plots: "Nonadoption"; "Intensification" (use of inorganic fertilizer only); "Sustainable" (use of organic fertilizer, maize-legume intercropping, or both); and "SI" (joint use of inorganic fertilizer with organic fertilizer and/or maize-legume intercropping). The results from multinomial endogenous treatment effects models with the Mundlak-Chamberlain device suggest that use of practices in the "SI" category is associated with improvements in children's height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores relative to "Nonadoption," particularly for children aged 25-59 months. These effects appear to come through improvements in both crop income and productivity.

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Section: Si Of Maize Production In Tanzaniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Does sustainable intensification of maize production enhance child nutrition? Evidence from rural Tanzania

Kim

Mason

Snapp

et al. 2019

Agricultural Economics

Self Cite

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“…This has necessitated the accelerated adoption of ecologically and socially sound legume technologies as a way to increase system resilience. Field research also provides important insights into the performance of simulation modeling, which is not yet adequate to predict productivity of mixed species, particularly in the context of high weather variability and nutrient-poor soils (Ollenburger et al, 2014). The threats imposed by climate variability have increased, affecting the spatial and temporal complementarity of species, and thus offsetting gains in system stability and productivity (Baumann et al, 2002).…”

Section: Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability In Maize Based Croppimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multiple-location and -year experimentation is key to evaluation of biologically complex technologies. Field research also provides important insights into the performance of simulation modeling, which is not yet adequate to predict productivity of mixed species, particularly in the context of high weather variability and nutrient-poor soils (Ollenburger et al, 2014). Identifying the most widely adapted and acceptable among cereal-legume systems could help optimize resource use and strategies for legume integration in maize-based systems.…”

Section: Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability In Maize Based Croppimentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability in Maize Based Cropping Systems

2019

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Functional crop diversity enhances crop productivity, stability, and food security through efficient nutrient cycling and water utilization; however, performance is variable under marginal environments. We applied stability analysis to assess impacts of grain legume integration on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, yield stability, N use efficiency (NUE), and ability to meet household protein requirements. Six field trials were conducted across three agroecological zones over five cropping seasons. We used additive main effect and multiplicative interaction to assess grain yield stability of maize in unfertilized maize, maize fertilized with 69 kg N ha−1 (Mz69), maize–pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] intercrop (MzPp), and maize in rotation with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (SbRot), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L., PnRot), and peanut–pigeonpea intercrop (PnDLR). Maize in rotation or intercrop received 10.5 kg P2O5 and 35 kg N ha−1, whereas the Mz69 treatment received 21 kg P2O5 and 69 kg N ha−1. Maize grain yield in rotation with legumes was not significantly different from yield for Mz69. In wetter environments, MzPp intercrops had low maize grain yield (−35%) relative to Mz69, whereas in drier environments, maize had higher grain yield (14%) relative to rotated maize. Rotating maize with legumes increased NUE (56%) and protein contributions (65%) relative to Mz69. Grain yield of maize in SbRot consistently had the highest yield and was the most stable technology. Simple statistical models can be used to test multicrop stability. Integrating maize with legumes as intercrops or rotation can allow farmers to achieve high and stable yield under varying rainfall, with modest fertilizer investments.

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“…i Risk and crop production intensification options for semiarid southern Zimbabwe Esther Nyaradzo Masvaya 2014; Ollenburger and Snapp, 2014;Vanlauwe et al, 2014a;Falconnier et al, 2016;Droppelmann et al, 2017;Thierfelder et al, 2017). The effective application of these cropping system options, as reported in these studies, results in increased food production per unit land, while maintaining or rebuilding soil fertility.…”

Section: Propositionsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Risk and crop production intensification options for semi-arid southern Zimbabwe

Masvaya¹

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Although rainfed cropping in semi-arid areas is risky due to frequent droughts and dry spells, climate smart agriculture (CSA) and sustainable intensification (SI) technologies have a role to play in ensuring smallholder farmers in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are food selfsufficient. Conservation agriculture (CA) and cereal-legume intercropping were identified as cropping systems that have potential to produce food in risky environments. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of CA and intercropping to contribute to SI and CSA by quantifying crop productivity and soil N dynamics using field and modelling approaches.An on-farm field experiment was set up in Matobo where the effects of two principles of CA (reduced tillage and mulch application) in combination with soil fertility amendments on soil mineral N release, plant N uptake and maize yields were assessed in comparison with the plough tillage. Ploughing stimulated N mineralisation and maize N uptake more than the ripper tillage. However, mulching reduced mineralisation and subsequently lowered crop N uptake compared with no mulch application under the plough tillage. Ripping combined with mulch application resulted in mineral N values and maize yields comparable to the plough only treatment. Planting early (1 Nov to 15 Nov) and with the first rains, especially with the ripper + mulch treatment, resulted in exceeding the food self-sufficiency threshold of 1080 kg ha -1 if fertility amendments were applied, as well as in a low probability of complete crop failure, ranging from 0-40%. The field experiment was complimented with a modelling exercise using APSIM to investigate the effects of different planting date, tillage and soil fertility management strategies on crop yields over a larger range of climate and risk related issues. APSIM simulated the occurrence of the mineral N flush with the first rains. Its coincidence with planting resulted in average yield benefits in the range of 200-800 kg ha -1 .vi Maize-cowpea intercropping experiments were established covering several seasons to determine effects on soil chemical variables, root dynamics and yield of intercrops. With the addition of 40 kg N ha −1 , maize grain yields were increased significantly by 500-1100 kg ha −1 in a normal season. However, cowpea yields were compromised attributed to the lack of belowground niche differentiation in root distribution between maize and cowpea. Most intercrops had a land equivalent ratio >1 showing that there was generally greater productivity and overyielding in the intercrops proving intercropping a robust option across seasons and soil types.Modelling the maize-cowpea intercrop with APSIM showed that maize yields were reduced by 3-25% with intecropping in comparison with sole maize. For cowpea, a week's delay in planting resulted in significant reductions in yields. Planting maize and cowpea at populations of 37 000 and 74 000 plants ha -1 respectively on the same date and with 40 kg N ha -1 scenario maximised the probability of meeting ...

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Model Applications for Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Based Smallholder Cropping in a Changing World

Cited by 5 publications

References 35 publications

Does sustainable intensification of maize production enhance child nutrition? Evidence from rural Tanzania

Does sustainable intensification of maize production enhance child nutrition? Evidence from rural Tanzania

Grain Legumes Increase Yield Stability in Maize Based Cropping Systems

Risk and crop production intensification options for semi-arid southern Zimbabwe

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