scholarly journals Optimizing Soil Moisture and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Some Maize (Zea mays) Varieties under Conservation Farming System

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Simunji Simunji ◽  
Kalaluka L. Munyinda ◽  
Obed I. Lungu ◽  
Alice M. Mweetwa ◽  
Elijah Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Use Efficiency

In Zambia, small holder farmers depend on producing maize (Zea mays), which is a major staple food for many Zambians. Maize productivity among the smallholder farmers is quite low, giving only 2.3 tons per hectare. The low yields are attributed to insufficient and erratic rain fall, low soil fertility, and poor farming practices. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of maize genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency and soil moisture utilisation under conservation farming system. The trials were carried out at two sites with different soil types. Three maize varieties i.e. ZMS 606, GV 640 and GV 635 were evaluated in maize – cowpea rotation. Four cowpea varieties used for rotation with maize, i.e. Bubebe Lutembwe, BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12. BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12 are mutation-derived lines of Bubebe and Lutembwe cowpea parent varieties respectively. The experimental design used was split plot with three replications. The NUE was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in CF and accounted for 27 % and 15% more than conventional farming system which valued 17% and 3% at Chisamba and Batoka, respectively. while soil moisture content was higher at Batoka than Chisamba in CF system. ZMS 606 and GV 640 varieties were superior over GV 635 for NUE. Cowpea variety BB 14-16-2-2 significantly increased NUE of maize varieties. Therefore, smallholder farmers in Zambia can increase maize productivity in maize - cowpea rotation system due to the increased NUE. Recommendations are made for farmers to select improved nitrogen efficient maize varieties to optimize productivity of maize in conservation farming system.

A computational history and outlook of nitrogen use efficiency and precipitation-optimal fertilisation timings in agriculture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel McKay Flecher ◽  
Siul Ruiz ◽  
Tiago Dias ◽  
Katherine Williams ◽  
Chiara Petroselli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nitrogen Uptake ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilisation ◽  
Plant Nitrogen Uptake ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Rainfall Patterns

<p>Half of the nitrogen applied to arable-fields is lost through several processes linked to soil moisture. Low soil moisture limits nitrogen mobility reducing nitrogen-uptake while wetter conditions can increase nitrogen leaching. Rainfall ultimately governs soil moisture and the fate of nitrogen in soil. However, the interaction between rainfall and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains poorly understood.</p> <p>We developed a field-scale modelling platform that describes coupled water and nitrogen transport, root growth and uptake, rainfall, the nitrogen-cycle and leaching to assess the NUE of split fertilisations with realistic rainfall patterns. The model was solved for every possible split fertilisation timing in 200+ growing seasons to determine optimal timings. Two previous field trials regarding rainfall and NUE had contrasting results: wetter years have enhanced fertiliser loss and drier years reduced plant nitrogen uptake. By choosing appropriate fertilisation timings in the model we could recreate the two contrasting trends and maintain variability in the data. However, we found by choosing other fertilisation timings we could mitigate the leaching in wetter years. Optimised timings could increase plant nitrogen uptake by up to 35% compared to the mean in dry years. Plant uptake was greatest under drier conditions due to mitigated leaching, but less likely to occur due to low nitrogen mobility. Optimal fertilisation timings varied dramatically depending on the rainfall patterns. Historic and projected rainfall patterns from 1950-2069 were used in the model. We found optimal NUE has a decrease from 2022-2040 due to increased heavy rainfall events and optimal fertilisation timings are later in the season but varied largely on a season-to-season basis.</p> <p>The results are a step towards achieving improved nitrogen efficiency in agriculture by using the ‘at the right time’ agronomic-strategy in the ‘4Rs’ of improved nitrogen fertilisation. Our results can help determine nitrogen fertilisation timings in changing climates.</p>

scholarly journals Review of sustainability of average Nepalese subsistence farm in mid-hills of Nepal

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilak R Chaulagai
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Joint Venture ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Secondary Information ◽  
Public And Private Sector

The main aim of this paper is to depict the sustainability condition of an average subsistence farm in the mid-hill condition of Nepal. For the purpose, a hypothetical farm representing the average condition of the farming system in the area is taken. The analysis is based on the secondary information. For the purpose, only few indicators for the sustainability are analysed including gross profit margin, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen balance. The results reflect that an average subsistence farm in the midhill of Nepal earn just NRs 79,449 per annum. The nitrogen balance was negative and nitrogen use efficiency was more than 100% reflecting the system was economically and environmentally unsustainable. The problem behind unsustainability of the system is basically related with poverty and increased population pressure on poorly fertile land. Only a joint venture of public and private sector can address the problem.

The effect of tillage on nitrogen use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) in a ridge–furrow plastic film mulch system

2019 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 104409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yüze Li ◽  
Duanpu Song ◽  
Pengfei Dang ◽  
Lina Wei ◽  
Xiaoliang Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plastic Film ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Use Efficiency
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