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Monitoring and Modelling Analysis of Maize ( Zea mays L.) Yield Gap in Smallholder Farming in Ghana

Author

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  • Eric Owusu Danquah

    (CSIR Crops Research Institute, Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana
    Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, 1066 Bogue St., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Yacob Beletse

    (CSIRO Agriculture and Food, GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Richard Stirzaker

    (CSIRO Agriculture and Food, GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Christopher Smith

    (CSIRO Agriculture and Food, GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Stephen Yeboah

    (CSIR Crops Research Institute, Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Patricia Oteng-Darko

    (CSIR Crops Research Institute, Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Felix Frimpong

    (CSIR Crops Research Institute, Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana
    Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Bio-Geosciences 2, Plant Sciences, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Stella Ama Ennin

    (CSIR Crops Research Institute, Box 3785 Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

Modelling and multiple linear regression were used to explore the reason for low maize yield in the Atebubu-Amantin and West Mamprusi Districts of Ghana, West Africa. The study evaluated maize yields on twenty farms against measures of soil fertility, agronomic attributes and soil water availability. Correlations between yield, soil fertility, rain, crop density, and weed biomass, were low, and no single factor could explain the low yields. A 50-year virtual experiment was then set up using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) to explore the interactions between climate, crop management (sowing date and nitrogen fertilization) and rooting depth on grain yield and nitrate (NO 3 -N) dynamics. The analysis showed that a lack of optimal sowing dates that synchronize radiation, rainfall events and nitrogen (N) management with critical growth stages explained the low farm yields.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Owusu Danquah & Yacob Beletse & Richard Stirzaker & Christopher Smith & Stephen Yeboah & Patricia Oteng-Darko & Felix Frimpong & Stella Ama Ennin, 2020. "Monitoring and Modelling Analysis of Maize ( Zea mays L.) Yield Gap in Smallholder Farming in Ghana," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:9:p:420-:d:417365
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yanxi Zhao & Dengpan Xiao & Huizi Bai & Jianzhao Tang & Deli Liu, 2022. "Future Projection for Climate Suitability of Summer Maize in the North China Plain," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, February.

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