Predicting Maize (Zea mays) productivity under projected climate change with management options in Amhara region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Maize is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia. Maize yield has been declined in Ethiopia mainly due to water scarcity, low soil fertility and heat stress. Currently, limited technologies are available in the study region that increases maize productivity. If crop models are properly calibrated, they are effective tools to study crops responses to environmental factors. Assessing impact of future climate on maize crop may help to develop adaptation strategies. The objectives of this study were (1) to calibrate and evaluate the CERES maize model in DSSAT technology for simulating phenology and yield of maize (2) to assess impact of projected climate change on maize productivity (3) to develop promising management practices for maize. The impact of projected climate change was assessed using the 17 GCMs (CMIP5) run under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios. Two water regimes treatments (rainfed and irrigated) and four rates of nitrogen (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg ha−1) were evaluated individually and in combinations for their effectiveness to increase maize productivity under the projected climate conditions. The model evaluation result revealed that the RMSE values were 2.5 days for anthesis, 4.4 days for physiological maturity, 258.3 kg ha−1 for grain yield and 1034 kg ha−1for above ground biomass yield with nRMSE values of 3%, 4%, 4.7% and 10%, respectively. The d-index values were 0.87, 0.80, 0.88 and 0.71 for the respective parameters. The good agreement between the simulated and the measured values indicated the maize genetic coefficients in the model were properly calibrated. The simulation results at Tehuledere site showed that maize grain yield may decrease by 11% and 20% in 2030s and by 26% and 29% in 2050s under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively whereas in Kallu site yield may decrease by 13% and 15% in 2030s and by 17% and 19% in 2050s for the respective RCP scenarios. However, the management scenarios have shown that maize yield may substantially increase by the use of optimum nitrogen fertilizer and supplemental irrigation. Thus, it can be generalized that climate change may adversely affect maize production in the Semi-arid regions of Ethiopia but the impact could be reversed by using sound crop management practices.