Increase Maize Production Research Articles

Inequality in agricultural production and health of hohokam era irrigation farmers, ce 1200 to 1400

We examine the effect of canal gradients on agricultural production and health of Hohokam irrigation farmers on the lower Salt River valley of central Arizona. Given otherwise comparable canals, differences in canal gradient will affect the amount of water discharged per unit of time (Caseldine 2020:38-44; Howard, 1991,1993; Woodson, 2010; 2016), the effort required to maintain the canals (Howard, 1991:32; Huckleberry 1991:66-67), and the pathogen load in the water (Fink 1991; Fink and Merbs, 1991). We compare six irrigation villages (13th and 14th century) in the Lower Salt River valley of Arizona and find that canal gradient was positively associated with increased maize production and inversely associated with health conditions related to physical stress on the body and consumption of contaminated water. We discuss how the social responses to these differences contributed to social inequality among neighboring villages.

Entendendo o comportamento de genótipos de milho sob pressão do complexo dos enfezamentos

ABSTRACT The stunt complex, transmitted by Dalbulus maidis, has become one of the main maize diseases in recent years in Brazil and Latin America. Genetic resistance is one of the best ways to control and prevent plant diseases due to its efficiency, low environmental impact, and reduced need for phytosanitary products. We sought to identify maize genotypes tolerant to the stunt complex and quantify the levels of damage caused by the disease in commercial hybrids and native varieties. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the maize stunting. We used an augmented block design with 60 genotypes and 3 test hybrids, arranged in 4 blocks. We assessed the incidence and severity of stunting between stages R2 and R3. We evaluated the agronomic characteristics of the different genotypes to compare them with the effects caused by the stunt complex and each genotype’s tolerance. We found more than 1,000 kg ha-1 of losses for commercial and native hybrids due to the stunt complex. Regression and multivariate analyses showed results that prove the effect of the maize stunt complex in reducing productivity, which allowed the classification of the evaluated genotypes into tolerance and resistance levels. The genotypes GNZ 7788 VIP3, Sempre 10A40 VIP3, DKB 360 PRO3, FS 575 PWU, NK Defender VIP3, and MG 540 PWU proved to be the best genotypes to serve as resistance sources to the stunt complex. The results emphasized the importance of genetic improvement in adding resistance/tolerance traits to breeding programs and increasing maize productivity and global sustainability.

Effect doses level of vermigot fertilizer on the chemical and biological characteristics of Inceptisol and Maize (Zea mays L.) production

Vermigot is an organic fertilizer produced from a combination of vermicompost and BSF compost. By applying Vermigot fertilizer to maize on Inceptisol, it’s hoped that it can help increase maize production and improve the chemical-biological characteristics of Inceptisol. This research aims to determine the effect of various doses of Vermigot fertilizer on the chemical and biological properties of Inceptisol soil and maize production This study used a Non Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), including: V0 = 0 gram, V1 = 100 gram, V2 = 200 gram and V3 = 300 gram with 6 replications to obtain 24 treatments. Parameters observed included maize production: shoot dry weight (g), root dry weight (g), corncob weight (g), final plant height of the vegetative phase (cm) and stem diameter at the end of the vegetative phase (mm). Inceptisol soil chemical-biological properties: pH soil, C-Organic (%), N-Total (%), Available-P (ppm) and microbial population (CFU/g). The maize variety used was Pioneer 35. The results showed that the application of various doses of Vermigot had a significant effect on the chemical of the Inceptisol, pH soil with the highest treatment at the V3 (300 g) of 6.80 (neutral) and the available-P of the soil with the best treatment V3 (300 g) of 31.90 ppm. Microbial population had no significant effect and maize production (Zea mays L.) had a significant effect, the weight of corn cobs with the best treatment V3 (300 g) of 250.56 gram.

Modelling policies to improve affordability and consumption of nutritious foods for complementary feeding in Kenya.

In Kenya 26% of children under age 5 experience stunted growth, 4% are wasted and 11% are underweight. In pregnant women, the prevalence of iron deficiency is 36% and iron-deficiency anaemia prevalence is 26%. Previous studies have identified affordability as a key barrier to the intake of nutrients, particularly from animal-source foods (ASFs). Thus, this study analyzes to what extent the affordability of ASF in Kenya can be improved. It focuses on four ASFs: eggs, milk, chicken and beef. Using a computable general equilibrium model, three policy simulations were undertaken to establish the impact of potential changes on nutritious ASF availability and affordability: a 20% increase in total factor productivity (TFP) for the four products; a 20% TFP increase plus a 25% reduction in trade and transportation margins; and a 20% TFP increase for ASF and maize (a key input in animal feed). Simulations suggest increasing the productivity of the four ASF products would increase their availability and lower consumer prices (up to 17% lower). Household consumption of the four commodities would increase, resulting in improved household dietary diversity. Rural households would gain more compared with urban households. Poor households (the lowest 40%) would register larger welfare (Equivalent Variation) gains than other households in both urban and rural areas. The richest 20% of the population would neither lose nor gain following the policy changes. Reducing transportation costs and trade margins and increasing maize productivity could further reduce the price of ASFs through lower production costs and increased consumption.

Impact of Land Use Consolidation on Maize Growers' Welfare in Gatsibo District, Rwanda (2012-2015)

This research delved into the transformative role of land use consolidation (LUC) in enhancing the well-being of maize growers within Gatsibo District, Rwanda, spanning from 2012 to 2015. Employing a descriptive and analytical approach, comprehensive data were gathered from primary sources, drawing from documentation, literature, and library resources. Analysis was conducted utilizing statistical tools like SPSS and Excel, resulting in insightful revelations. The study indicated that a substantial majority of respondents (95%) practiced intercropping maize with other crops using traditional methods. However, postLUC implementation, there was a marked shift as maize growers transitioned to exclusive maize cultivation on a larger scale, significantly boosting maize production. Notably, 85% of respondents ceased the use of intercropping methods, highlighting the pivotal role of LUC in optimizing maize yield and profitability. Moreover, a significant portion (78%) of respondents reported a considerable increase in maize production ranging from 25% to 75%, elucidating the profound impact of LUC on enhancing economic conditions. This positive shift was reflected in increased monthly earnings and savings, empowering respondents to elevate their socioeconomic status. Consequently, there was a notable surge in various improvements, including enhanced access to healthcare through Mutual Health Insurance, increased expenditures on essentials like clothing, education, household amenities, and the engagement of additional laborers. While LUC brought about substantial improvements, respondents encountered challenges such as inadequate organic manure, adverse weather conditions, low market prices for products, and limited markets for maize. To address these challenges, suggestions were made, including the expansion of communal cowsheds to bolster organic manure production, the establishment of advocacy groups within cooperatives, and the implementation of efficient watering systems to support year-round cultivation, thereby ensuring the sustainability of maize farming. In summation, the implementation of LUC significantly transformed the livelihoods of maize growers in Gatsibo District. Despite encountering challenges, the tangible benefits in terms of increased production, improved economic conditions, and avenues for further enhancements underscore the pivotal role of LUC in fostering agricultural prosperity within the region. Keywords: Land Use Consolidation, Maize growers and Welfare, Crops, Maize production, watering system.

Response of soil water, temperature, and maize productivity to different irrigation practices in an arid region

Irrigation combined with plastic film mulch (IPFM) is widely used in arid areas to alleviate water shortages and increase crop yields. However, the mechanisms by which IPFM affected soil water content (SWC) and soil temperature (ST) to promote crop photosynthesis and resources (water, nitrogen and radiation) utilization are unclear. A field experiment was conducted in northwestern China in 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the effects of different irrigation methods combined with transparent film mulching (70% cover) on soil hydrothermal conditions and maize growth, photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and resource use efficiency. The four treatments included border irrigation with no mulching (CK), border irrigation under film mulching (TM), ridge irrigation under film mulching (RM), and drip irrigation under film mulching (DM). Our results showed that TM and RM significantly improved SWC, enhanced photosynthetic rate (Pn), and lowered non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in maize relative to CK. The DM treatment had wetter soil and lower soil surface temperatures from the V12 to R3 stage, further accelerating maize photosynthesis and resource use relative to the other treatments and thus producing the higher leaf area index and biomass accumulation. The results suggest that DM is an efficient farming strategy, increasing yield by 3.7 − 61.3%, radiation use efficiency for maize grain yield (RUEGY) by 2.8–44.3%, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 29.7–96.5%, partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) by 3.7–61.3%, and economic benefit by 12.4–100.0% relative to the other treatments. In addition, the regression function revealed that the increased soil water storage and decreased ST from VT to R3 stages helped increase maize yield. Thus, we recommended DM practice for increasing maize production in arid areas and proposed soil water storage in 0–120 cm profile ranging 342–389 mm and ST ranging from 18.9° to 22.1°C as reference management indicators.

Adoption of drought tolerant maize varieties and farmers’ access to credit in Nigeria: Implications on productivity

In this study, we examined the determinants of choice of variety including DTMV, local variety and combination of the two varieties using multivariate probit model. In addition, we examined factors influencing adoption of DTMV and access to credit among the maize farmers using endogenous switching probit model (ESPM). Consequently, we ascertained the probable effects of adoption of DTMV on maize productivity using endogenous switching regression model (ESRM). We used IPWRA to correct for biased estimates of ATT, ATE and POM of the endogenous treatment. Our results are in four folds: First, from the multivariate probit model, we found that age, gender, household size, farming experience, membership in farmers association, access to extension contacts, location and access to credit variables influenced the maize farmers’ decision to choose between DTMV, local varieties and combination of both. Second, the result of the ESPM shows that variables age, gender, farm size, years of formal education and membership in association affects maize farmers’ access to credit. Third, from ESRM results, we found that gender, household size, marital status, membership in association, access to extension contacts and location variables translates to increase maize productivity for the maize farmers who adopted DTMV. Lastly, the result of IPWRA indicates that adoption of DTMV increased the productivity of the maize farmers. To ensure access to DTMV seed varieties, stakeholders and government should take lead in dissemination of these varieties to reach the target farmers.

THE ROLE OF MATTOANGING FARMER GROUP IN INCREASING MAIZE (Zea mays) PRODUCTION IN MASSEPE VILLAGE

This study aims to determine the role of the Mattoanging farmer group in increasing maize production in the Massepe Village. This quantitative descriptive research uses a non-experimental approach with a survey type. The research using a questionnaire obtained an average percentage in learning classes 72.3%, in collaboration vehicles of 75.8%, and production units of 81.2%. After being analyzed using the Rank-Spearman Correlation, the correlation coefficient in the learning class was 0.678. In cooperative vehicles, it is 0.683; in production units, it is 0.654. These three values indicate a strong relationship with a positive direction. The significance value obtained from the three variables is below 0.05 (α = 5%). This means that H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted, which means that there is a significant relationship between the role of the Mattoanging farmer group as a learning class, a vehicle for cooperation, and a production unit in increasing maize production in Massepe Village, Tellu Limpoe District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency.

Maize-legume intercropping and botanical Piper mitigating effect on pest populations while enhancing the yield of maize

Climate change poses a wave of pests, devastating crops and jeopardizing the quest to feed more than 8 billion people globally. This can be seen in fall armyworm and snails being a nightmare to maize productivity. Thus this study was set up to increase maize productivity by reducing maize pests (FAW and snails) in maize-legume intercropping with locally produced organic (botanical) insecticide and utilizing legume nitrogen-fixing ability for maize growth and production. This work was done at the University of Buea and had nine treatments, and each was replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. The main crop maize, was intercropped with beans and cowpea. Data on fall armyworm incidence and severity, snail incidence and severity, height of plant, leaf number, girth of stem, leaf area index, and maize grain dry weight were collected. Data was subjected to ANOVA, P < 0.05, using SPSSv26 and graphs drawn with excel. More damaged plants for FAW and snails occurred in control, 14, and 11 plants, respectively, and were significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments. The most pests were recorded in control 4 FAW and 3 snails per plant which varied statistically (P <0.05). Maize growth parameters (height of plant, leaf number, girth of stem, leaf area index) differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with control recording the least (206 cm, 13, 7.4 cm and 641 cm2 respectively). The best results were obtained with an intercrop of maize and cowpea along with synthetic or Piper pesticide. (236.4 cm, 16, 10.6 cm and 730.6 cm2 respectively) with no statistical difference. The highest maize yield was recorded in maize+cowpea intercrop coupled with Piper or synthetic insecticide (6.13 and 5.93 t/ha, respectively), with significant (P < 0.05) difference. Plant damage was connected adversely with yield (r = −0.90 for FAW, r = −0.94 for snail) and favourably with the number of pests (r = 0.70 for FAW, r = 0.86 for snail). ConclusionIntercropping and Piper emulsion effectively managed maize pests, while boosting maize output. As a result, farmers can utilize this maize-dwarf bean and maize-cowpea intercrop, as well as the organic Piper emulsion approach, as a sustainable crop protection and fertilizer management strategy to increase production.

What is the applicability of clean production technologies for maize as a countermeasure to reduce on-farm CO2 emissions and increase crop productivity?

Agricultural production activities are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and one of the most significant sources of carbon emissions. The development of cleaner production in agriculture has become inevitable, focusing on the conservation of the ecological environment quality of the agroecological regions while maintaining sustained, stable, high productivity. Most previous studies failed to examine the quantitative effects of cleaner production methods on agricultural yields and CO2 emissions, focusing instead on the development of standardized technical frameworks and systems for cleaner production. Herein, a meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effects of fertilizer reduction and replacement, integrated straw usage, and water-saving irrigation methods on CO2 emissions and productivity of maize fields. We studied the practical applicability of cleaner production technologies in various regions of China to examine new models of cleaner production for maize cultivation. Our results show that the relationship between the adoption of maize cleaner production technologies and carbon reduction and yield increase is non-linear and influenced by many factors. Fertilizer reduction and substitution technology had the greatest effect on suppressing CO2 emissions from maize fields (−356%), while integrated straw usage technology brought about higher CO2 emissions from fields (434%) due to the return method and soil temperature. The adoption of both integrated straw usage technology (132%) and water-saving irrigation technology significantly increased maize productivity, with water-saving irrigation technology differentiating between the specific environment in which the technology was applied (90% for traditional irrigation and 229% for rainfed planting), and fertilizer reduction and substitution technology having no significant effect on changes in maize productivity. Combined with the practical applicability of cleaner production sub-technologies in maize cultivation, we identified the optimal maize cleaner production model as organic fertilizer substitution technology (proportion <50%) + straw charcoal return technology + sub-film drip irrigation technology (rainfed)/subsurface drip irrigation technology (traditional irrigation).

Ridge-furrow planting with black film mulching increases rainfed summer maize production by improving resources utilization on the Loess Plateau of China

Soil mulching has been widely used to improve crop productivity around the world, but how various mulching practices affect soil hydrothermal conditions, water-temperature-radiation utilization and finally grain yield of rainfed maize has been poorly understood. A two-season field experiment was conducted on rainfed summer maize in 2021 and 2022 on the Loess Plateau of China, with six soil mulching practices: flat planting with non-mulching (FPNM), flat planting with full straw mulching (FPSM), flat planting with full black film mulching (FPBF), flat planting with full transparent film mulching (FPTF), ridge-furrow planting with black film mulching on the ridge (RFBF) and ridge-furrow planting with transparent film mulching on the ridge (RFTF). The results showed that compared with the traditional FPNM, the five mulching treatments (FPSM, FPBF, FPTF, RFBF and RFTF) greatly regulated root-zone soil hydrothermal conditions and resulted in obvious soil drying-wetting alternation, which significantly changed the daytime average root-zone soil temperature in the 0 – 25 cm soil layer (by − 1.1 ℃, − 1.9 ℃, + 2.7 ℃, − 1.6℃ and + 0.8 ℃, respectively) and significantly reduced crop evapotranspiration. The five mulching treatments promoted the root growth, leaf area index and canopy light interception rate due to the improved soil water and/or temperature conditions. The structural equation modeling indicated that soil hydrothermal condition and water-temperature-radiation use efficiency could directly or indirectly explain 98% of the grain yield variation under various soil mulching practices; radiation use efficiency (RUE) determined maize production in the water-sufficient year (2021), whereas maize production was mainly determined by crop water productivity (WP) in the water-limited year (2022). The RFBF increased maize production most, followed by RFTF. Compared with FPNM, RFBF increased leaf area index by 45.4%, canopy light interception rate by 19.1%, aboveground biomass by 68.8%, 1000-grain weight by 15.1%, grain yield by 58.6%, WP by 71.8%, thermal time use efficiency by 64.6% and RUE by 30.5%. In conclusion, RFBF optimized the root-zone soil hydrothermal conditions for root growth, which in turn promoted aboveground growth and water-temperature-radiation use efficiency, and finally improved the gain yield of rainfed summer maize on the Loess Plateau of China. Therefore, RFBF was considered as a promising agricultural practice to improve rain-fed summer maize production and resource utilization efficiency on the Loess Plateau of China.

Deep phosphorus fertilizer placement increases maize productivity by improving root-shoot coordination and photosynthetic performance

It’s well known that the development and distribution of roots could be regulated to obtain deep soil resource and enhance the grain yield by increasing the depth of fertilization, but little is known about whether increasing P fertilization depth can optimize the root distribution to delay leaf senescence, enhance photosynthetic performance and root-shoot coordination or not. We conducted a field experiment that tested the following four placement depths of P fertilization: 5 cm (P5), 10 cm (P10), 15 cm (P15), and 20 cm (P20). The experiment was designed to explore the regulatory effects of the P fertilization depth on the root growth and distribution, the photosynthetic performance, the root-shoot coordination, the yield formation, the N and P fertilizer utilization of maize plants. We found that deep P placement did indeed alter the root parameters. In the 20–60 cm soil layer, both the root dry weight and length of P15 treatment were on average 23.2% higher than those of P5 treatment. The specific root length and specific root surface area of P15 treatment were 4.5% and 5.6% higher than those of P5 treatment. In addition, the P15 treatment achieved a significantly improved photosynthetic performance over the P5 treatment: The leaf area index at the R6 stage was 10.2% higher, the leaf senescence index from the R2 to the R6 stages was 31.4% lower, the photosynthetic rate at the R3 stage was 25.9% higher. The P placement depth also optimized the root-shoot coordination: The ratios of root weight to shoot weight, root surface area to leaf area, and root length to leaf area of P15 treatment were 6.7%, 13.8%, and 12.7% higher than those of P5 treatment, respectively. Finally, the root P and N uptake efficiency, the photosynthetic P-use efficiency, and the physiological P-use efficiency of P15 treatment were all significantly higher than those of P5 treatments. And together these responses had the effect of increasing the mature biomass by 12.5%, and the grain yield by 22.0%. In conclusion, increasing the P fertilization placement depth to 15 cm regulates the growth and development of the root system, which in turn improves the capability of plant to uptake and utilize N and P in the soil, delays the onset of leaf senescence, enhances its photosynthetic performance and biomass accumulation rate, and thus ultimately increases the yield.

Agricultural productivity, land use intensification and rural household welfare: evidence from Ethiopia

ABSTRACT While the role of agricultural productivity in alleviating poverty and enhancing household well-being is widely acknowledged, the micro-level evidence on the relationship between smallholder productivity and rural household welfare remains scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. Utilising three-wave comprehensive panel data from rural Ethiopia, this paper offers valuable insights into the effect of maize productivity on rural household welfare. We use both fixed-effects and correlated random-effects IV estimators to account for unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity. Our findings reveal that increased maize productivity leads to higher household income, enhanced maize consumption, and greater asset ownership, ultimately reducing rural poverty. Notably, the welfare gains from maize productivity vary among farm households, with the most substantial effects observed among advantaged households, particularly those headed by male farmers and those with a more favourable economic standing in terms of poverty status. These results not only hold promise for poverty reduction through intensified agricultural practices in rural Ethiopia but also emphasise the necessity for targeted interventions to ensure equitable distribution of welfare benefits.

Detection of bacterial pathogen on corn plants and test the potential of endophytic microbes to controlling stewart wilt disease in vitro

The use of synthetic pesticides to increase maize production sustainably contributes to increasing the development of pathogens and tends to be less effective in environmental conditions that support pathogens. In addition, the emergence of environmental pollution due to the use of chemicals causes the need for environmentally-friendly control technologies. Endophytic microbes are biological agents that can be used to plant disease control that is environmentally friendly and practical in their application. The study aimed to detect pathogenic bacteria that cause wilt and blight in maize and then examine the potential of several endophytic microbial isolates in controlling Stewart wilt pathogens in maize in vitro. The research was carried out from February to July 2021 at the Cereal Crop Research Institute Laboratory in Maros for morphological identification and microbial potential testing, while serological tests were carried out at the Makassar Plant Quarantine Laboratory, South Sulawesi. The study began with detecting pathogenic bacteria serologically using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The results showed that blight symptoms on corn isolated from the experimental garden of IP2TP Bajeng Gowa Regency PS-4 and PS-5 were detected as bacteria Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii. The antagonistic test of endophytic bacterial isolates I.A1, II.D1, III.A2, IV.B2, and endophytic fungi isolates AC-1, AC-3, and DC-5 was able to suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria isolates PS-4 and PS-5 The growth suppression of pathogenic bacteria was observed by forming inhibitory zones of antibiosis compounds. Pathogenic bacteria Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii can be controlled using endophytic microbes.

Optimasi Jarak Tanam dan Pemberian Asam Humat Untuk Meningkatkan Produksi Benih Jagung (Zea mays L.)

Fluctuations in maize production make Indonesia often dependent on imports. Low productivity is one of the problems of low maize production. Increasing maize productivity can be supported by improving cultivation methods through increasing plant spacing and applying organic fertilizers. This study aims to determine the optimal optimization of plant spacing and complementary organic fertilizer to increase maize seed production. This research was conducted in the paddy field of Tegal Gede Village, Sumbersari Subdistrict, Jember Regency, this research used a factorial group randomized design with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was the optimization of planting distance, namely 60 x 25 cm, 75 x 25 cm, and 90 x 25 cm, while the second factor was the application of humic acid, namely 10 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha, and 30 kg/ha. and 30 kg/ha. The results showed that the interaction of 90 x 25 cm spacing optimization and 30 kg/ha of humic acid on the parameters of corn cob weight and dry weight of kernels showed the best results. The parameter of seed production weight per hectare which gives a high amount in the treatment of optimization of plant spacing 60 x 25 cm and 20 kg/ha of humic acid with a yield of 6.2 tons

A Study on the Specific Combining Ability in Several Inbred Lines of Maize

Maize is a cereal crop essential to fulfill the need for food and support global food security programs. Maize hybrid varieties play a very significant role in increasing maize production. Objectives of the research were to obtain a tester, which is consistent in identifying inbred lines with a high specific combining ability, and to obtain prospective crossed-hybrids that have the potential assembling to be maize hybrid varieties. The grain yield showed that the specific combining ability values ranged from -3682.2 to 5251.7. Crosses that have high and positive specific combining ability included lines of JG-11, JG-18, JG-34, JG-01, JG-40, JG-B0, JG-19, and JG-02 with a tester of JG-T00; lines of JG-20, JG-01, JG-03, JG-42, JG-02, JG-46, and tester of JG-T14; lines of JG-24, JG-08, JG-23, JG-26, JG-21, JG-07, and JG-06 with a tester of JG-T15; lines of JG-38, JG-40, JG-35, JG-36, JG-01, JG-51, JG-17, JG-B0, and JG-08 with tester of JG-T22; and lines of JG-07, JG-01, JG-26, JG-24, and JG-18 with tester of JG-T37. There were combinations of 9 crosses between inbred lines and the best testers, including JG-06XJG-T15, JG-51XJG-T22, JG-49XJG-T22, JG-B0XJG-T22, JG-35XJG-T22, JG-38XJG-T22, JG-17XJG-T22, JG-36XJG-T22, and JG-49XJG-37, which are potential as prospective maize hybrids that have high productivity.

Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

Push-pull technology provides farmers in East Africa with an eco-friendly strategy that increases crop yield and household income in smallholder cereal systems by controlling pests and improving soil health. Though promising for a sustainably intensified production, push-pull has been used at limited scale, primarily in maize-and sorghum-based production systems. Expanding the scope, applicability and acceptance of the practice in smallholder farming systems, will leverage the full potential of push-pull as a widely applicable sustainable farming practice. Using key informant interviews and focus group discussions, we explored farmers’ needs and perceived pathways for integrating push-pull and other sustainable intensification practices in synergy with existing cropping systems in Kisumu, Vihiga and Siaya Counties in Western Kenya. We found that farmers in the region typically grow and intercrop a variety of crops, with maize being the most common crop. Farmers commonly practice crop-livestock farming, intercropping, crop rotation, manure and fertilizer use, and use improved varieties to increase maize production. Across the counties, integration of food legumes, agroforestry and crop-livestock farming, were identified as fundamental pathways for stretching the benefits of push-pull. Limitations to farmers’ aspirations and key enablers for facilitating spontaneous adoption of identified sustainable intensification practices for push-pull farming systems are discussed.

Impact of Nutrient Management Technologies on Maize under Irrigated Conditions in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh

The soil-test crop response (STCR) approach, which is currently gaining prominence for sustainable nutrient management, aims to adjust fertilizers for desired yield based on soil-test values.The STCR-based experiment was conducted for the desired maize production targets in alluvial soil of multiple locations of Persiya village in Naugharh block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh during kharif 2019. It is important to test the developed fertilizer prescription equation to show how well technology is delivered to those who need it. A series of tests were set up in five locations in village Persiya to see how well fertilizer recommendations worked. First, the soils of the chosen area are examined for available N, P, and P. Control (T1), farmer behaviors (T2), the usually recommended fertilizer dosage (T3), and STCR-based fertilizer doses (T4 and T5) are among the treatments for yield targets of 30 and 35 q ha-1. The treatments were incorporated, cultivation procedures were followed on a consistent basis and yield of grains was recorded at harvest. The percentage increase in yield and benefit-cost ratio (B:C) were estimated using data on grain production and fertilizer dosages. The research findings revealed that the percent the accomplishment of the intended yield was within 10% fluctuation in all locations, showing the accuracy of the equations for prescribed integrated fertilizer dosages for maize. The highest percent increase in production was achieved in the yield of 35 q ha-1 (42.03%) followed by 30 q ha-1 (11.03%) beyond the prescribed fertilizer dosage (RDF). STCR 35 q ha-1 had the highest mean grain yield (3695.40 kg ha-1). STCR 35 q ha-1 had the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.76), followed by STCR 30 q ha-1 (3.46). The established maize fertilizer prescription equations may be advised for alluvial in eastern Uttar Pradesh in order to achieve a yield target of 35 q ha-1thereby resulting in greater economic yield. As a result, on tropical soils, an integrated STCR targeted yield method could prove to be the best feasible option for increasing maize productivity.

Increased productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) through ear-to-row selection

Assembling superior maize varieties is one of the strategies to increase maize productivity on suboptimal land on Madura Island, Indonesia. One method of assembling high-yielding maize varieties is ear-to-row selection. The research aimed to determine the genetic advances due to ear-to-row selection on the Tambin, Sukmaraga, and Srikandi Kuning varieties. The research was carried out in two stages of activity. Stage 1, carrying out ear-to-row selection for one cycle from the C0 population to form a C1 population. Ear-to-row selection was done on three varieties: the Tambin, Sukmaraga, and Srikandi Kuning. Stage II, carried out an evaluation of the C0 and C1 populations on the three varieties so that six populations were produced. Population evaluation used a completely randomized block design with three replications, resulting in 18 experimental units. Observational variables include ear length, ear diameter, seeds number per row, weight of 100 seeds, seed weight per ear, and production per hectare. The results showed that ear-to-row selection on maize varieties Tambin, Sukmaraga, and Srikandi Kuning showed significantly different selection progress based on the t-test at 5% on maize production per hectare. Heritability values ​​in a broad sense for all characters observed in the moderate to high categories of the three varieties (Tambin, Sukmaraga, and Srikandi Kuning).

Crop cultivar mixtures stabilize productivity, partly via facilitation, when conditions are less benign

Context of problemCrop cultivar mixtures can increase and stabilize productivity; however, their effects on year-to-year temporal stability are positive in some cases, and neutral or negative in others. This inconsistency is not understood, in part because the mechanisms underlying the effects of diversity on stability are not clear, and in part because we do not understand the role of the abiotic environment on the functioning of crop mixtures. Objective of research questionTo test whether maize cultivar mixtures increase maize productivity and temporal yield stability compared to monocultures, in benign vs. less benign conditions, our objective was to explore the role of facilitation in the overall effect of crop diversity. MethodsWe performed two field experiments comparing mixtures of up to eight cultivars to monocultures over five years at Zhangye with irrigated conditions and with higher organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium, and over four years at Lishu with rainfed conditions without irrigation, and with lower soil fertility. Water supply at Zhangye was 18.5% higher than at Lishu and the water supply at Lishu was dependent on precipitation with greater year-to-year variation. ResultsAt the Lishu site, productivity was 18.3% lower than at the Zhangye site, and the temporal stability of aboveground biomass for cultivar mixtures was 31.5% higher than that of monocultures. This increase in temporal stability in mixtures corresponded to 6.9% greater productivity overall and 48.1% less variation in productivity than in monocultures at the Lishu site. Complementarity effects were positive and facilitation was much more important at the Lishu site. Temporal stability of aboveground biomass was also positively correlated with complementarity effects (P < 0.05) and facilitation (P < 0.01). There was no evidence of enhanced stability or facilitation at the Zhangye site. ConclusionsOur findings emphasize that cultivar mixtures enhance ecosystem functioning under less benign conditions with lower productivity, in part via facilitation, but not under more productive benign conditions. Implications or significanceOur study highlights that increasing crop cultivar diversity may better respond to more abiotically stressful and fluctuating conditions, and provides insight into why crop cultivar mixtures vary in their effects on stability.