Simulating impact of seasonal climatic variation on the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to inorganic fertilizer in sub-humid Ghana

Fosu-Mensah, Benedicta Y.; MacCarthy, Dilys S.; Vlek, Paul L. G.; Safo, E.Y.

doi:10.1007/s10705-012-9539-4

Cited by 35 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Apart from the weather data, other inputs required for modeling in DSSAT are crop management, soil, and cultivar specific parameters (genetic coefficients). In Ghana, CERES-maize model has been used to assess the effects of agronomic practices such as fertilizer and manure application on maize yields at some locations including northern Ghana (Dzotsi et al, 2010 ; Fosu et al, 2012 ; Fosu-Mensah et al, 2012 ; MacCarthy et al, 2012 ). The current version of the model used in this study was derived from a re-calibration for Obatanpa , a medium (105–110 days) maturity duration variety commonly grown throughout Ghana including the northern regions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using CERES-Maize and ENSO as Decision Support Tools to Evaluate Climate-Sensitive Farm Management Practices for Maize Production in the Northern Regions of Ghana

et al. 2017

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Maize (Zea mays) has traditionally been a major cereal staple in southern Ghana. Through breeding and other crop improvement efforts, the zone of cultivation of maize has now extended to the northern regions of Ghana which, hitherto, were the home to sorghum and millet as the major cereals. Maize yield in the northern Ghana is hampered by three major biophysical constraints, namely, poor soil fertility, low soil water storage capacity and climate variability. In this study we used the DSSAT crop model to assess integrated water and soil management strategies that combined the pre-season El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-based weather forecasting in selecting optimal planting time, at four locations in the northern regions of Ghana. It could be shown that the optimum planting date for a given year was predictable based on February-to-April (FMA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly for the locations with R2 ranging from 0.52 to 0.71. For three out of four locations, the ENSO-predicted optimum planting dates resulted in significantly higher maize yields than the conventional farmer selected planting dates. In Wa for instance, early optimum planting dates were associated with La Nina and El Niño (Julian Days 130-150; early May to late May) whereas late planting (mid June to early July) was associated with the Neutral ENSO phase. It was also observed that the addition of manure and fertilizer improved soil water and nitrogen use efficiency, respectively, and minimized yield variability, especially when combined with weather forecast. The use of ENSO-based targeted planting date choice together with modest fertilizer and manure application has the potential to improve maize yields and also ensure sustainable maize production in parts of northern Ghana.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using CERES-Maize and ENSO as Decision Support Tools to Evaluate Climate-Sensitive Farm Management Practices for Maize Production in the Northern Regions of Ghana

et al. 2017

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“…Briefly, however, the model simulates crop growth and development over time, in response to climate factors (radiation, rainfall, temperature), soil factors (e.g., water, organic carbon and nitrogen), and management (fertilizer application, tillage), among others. DSSAT modules include plant development (crop phenology) [24], soil organic matter dynamics using DSSAT/CENTURY [25], and soil water and nutrient balance [26], which enables the assessment of stress effects on growth and yield and leaching of nutrients beyond the root zone. The overall model provides a basis for cropping decision making.…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil data used for Navrongo and Tamale were based on measurements. Even though data on crop phenology was not available from the survey, data sources from the literature [25,26] were relied upon as checks of validity. The relevant soil data required as input for the DSSAT model are shown in Tables 1 and 2. historical weather data record was obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) for the locations in Ghana.…”

Section: Data Sources For Model Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity of Maize Yield in Smallholder Systems to Climate Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions of West Africa: Accounting for Variability in Farm Management Practices

et al. 2019

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Climate change is estimated to exacerbate existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. However, limited studies quantify the extent of variation in climate change impact under these systems at the local scale. The Decision Support System for Agro-technological Transfer (DSSAT) was used to quantify variation in climate change impacts on maize yield under current agricultural practices in semi-arid regions of Senegal (Nioro du Rip) and Ghana (Navrongo and Tamale). Multi-benchmark climate models (Mid-Century, 2040–2069 for two Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and multiple soil and management information from agronomic surveys were used as input for DSSAT. The average impact of climate scenarios on grain yield among farms ranged between −9% and −39% across sites. Substantial variation in climate response exists across farms in the same farming zone with relative standard deviations from 8% to 117% at Nioro du Rip, 13% to 64% in Navrongo and 9% to 37% in Tamale across climate models. Variations in fertilizer application, planting dates and soil types explained the variation in the impact among farms. This study provides insight into the complexities of the impact of climate scenarios on maize yield and the need for better representation of heterogeneous farming systems for optimized outcomes in adaptation and resilience planning in smallholder systems.

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“…Most of the reported studies on maize response to fertilizer application are from Guinea Savanna and other areas of West Africa with sub-humid and humid growing seasons [5][6][7][8]. There is limited information on maize response to nutrient reported from Niger.…”

Section: Optimizing Fertilizer Use By Smallholder Farmers and Economimentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers and Economic Returns to Maize in Semi-arid Niger

Maman¹,

Abdou²,

Garba³

2018

JAST-B

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Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop in Niger, but low and irregular rainfall combined with sandy soils having low fertility level limit productivity. A two-year study was conducted at Institut National de Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN) stations in Tarna/Maradi and Bengou/Gaya in 2014 and 2015 in order to evaluate maize agronomic and economic fertilizer use efficiency. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicate higher effect of fertilizer in 2015 compared to 2014. At low N rates 20 kg N/ha and 40 kg N/ha, application of 20 kg P/ha increased maize grain yield across locations and years. The highest agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) was recorded with 60 kg N/ha in 2015 at Bengou and Tarna with 9.65 kg and 14.05 kg grain yield per kg of applied N, respectively. At Tarna, the low N rates of 20 kg N/ha and 40 kg N/ha recorded important AEN of more than 12 kg yield increases per kg of applied N. The highest rainfall use efficiency (RUE) of 6.13 kg/year/mm was obtained with application of 80 kg/ha N, 0 kg/ha P and 40 kg/ha N, 20 kg/ha P in 2015 at Tarna. Without P, the highest value cost ratio (VCR) value of 4.31 was recorded at Tarna in 2015 with 60 kg/ha N, and the lowest value of 0.08 at Bengou in 2014 with 20 kg/ha N. Based on VCR and RUE derived from this study, the optimal fertilizer recommendation for maize in the semi-arid conditions of Niger could be 40 kg/ha N, 20 kg/ha P and 0 kg/ha K.

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Simulating impact of seasonal climatic variation on the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to inorganic fertilizer in sub-humid Ghana

Cited by 35 publications

References 20 publications

Using CERES-Maize and ENSO as Decision Support Tools to Evaluate Climate-Sensitive Farm Management Practices for Maize Production in the Northern Regions of Ghana

Using CERES-Maize and ENSO as Decision Support Tools to Evaluate Climate-Sensitive Farm Management Practices for Maize Production in the Northern Regions of Ghana

Sensitivity of Maize Yield in Smallholder Systems to Climate Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions of West Africa: Accounting for Variability in Farm Management Practices

Optimizing Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers and Economic Returns to Maize in Semi-arid Niger

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