Application of DSSAT CERES-Maize to Identify the Optimum Irrigation Management and Sowing Dates on Improving Maize Yield in Northern China

Patrick Rugira,Enke Liu,Lijian Zheng,Juanjuan Ma,Chaobao Wu

doi:10.3390/agronomy11040674

Patrick Rugira, Enke Liu + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040674

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Abstract

The increase in irrigated maize plantings in Northern China has increased the demand for irrigation water in the region, resulting in chronic water shortages in drier years. Efficient irrigation and water use are essential for the sustainable development and management of water resources in the area. This research applied DSSAT-maize in the Loess Plateau (Fenhe basin) to determine the suitable irrigation management and optimum sowing dates to ensure the stability of spring maize production. The model was calibrated using the full irrigation treatment of 2017–2019 growing seasons. Crop data, such as plant phenological phases, aboveground biomass, crop yield, and leaf area index, were used for model calibration. The calibration showed great consistency between the measured and simulated data, with nRMSE (normalized root mean square error) ranging from 0.77% to 21.6%. The field values of crop yield, aboveground biomass, LAI, soil water content, and water use efficiency were used to evaluate the calibrated model’s performance, the model evaluation was found to be satisfactory with acceptable nRMSE ranging from 1.9% to 25.3%. Optimum simulated sowing dates for increased productivity and water efficiency were between 15 and 25 May. The optimum irrigation timing and volume of irrigation water application were 85 mm at the tasseling phase and 85 mm at the grouting phase respectively. Therefore, the yield of maize can be increased by applying irrigation and altering the sowing date in case rainfall is insufficient to satisfy the water demand of the crops in the Fenhe basin.

Highlights

The Loess Plateau (Shanxi Fenhe basin) of the northern part of China is a semi-arid region
The results indicate that the simulated aboveground biomass, grain yield, and leaf area values were in excellent accordance with measured values, the nRMSE (%) range between 4.1% and 21.6% [17]
To irrigation scenarios with high irrigation volumes (I17, I20, I23, and I31), a double irrigation treatment I14 (170 mm) is more effective for achieving a higher yield Figure 8. These findings indicate that irrigation application has a significant effect, on spring maize production, under the restricted supply of irrigation water in the Fenhe basin

Summary

Introduction

The Loess Plateau (Shanxi Fenhe basin) of the northern part of China is a semi-arid region. Spring maize is among the region’s most important crops accounting for more than 25% of the total arable land [1]. The spring maize participates in promoting economic growth and ensuring food security in this area [2]. For worldwide maize production, China is the second producer following the United States. The production of maize in China has a significant impact on the world’s economy. Maize and other cereals’ improvement in China have been recognized as one of the most outstanding achievement stories in agricultural science and technology policy reform [3,4]

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