Evaluating maize yield variability and gaps in two agroecologies in northern Ghana using a crop simulation model

dc.contributor.authorMacCarthy, D.S.
dc.contributor.authorAdiku, S.G.
dc.contributor.authorFreduah, B.S.
dc.contributor.authorKamara, A.Y.
dc.contributor.authorNarh, S.
dc.contributor.authorAbdulai, A.L.
dc.date.accessioned2019-07-10T08:53:54Z
dc.date.available2019-07-10T08:53:54Z
dc.date.issued2017-10
dc.description.abstractThe yield gap and variability in maize under smallholder systems in two agroecologies in northern Ghana were evaluated using a decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT). The model was used to assess (1) the potential yield of maize (YPOT), (2) water-limited exploitable maize yield (YWEX), (3) nitrogen-limited yield (YNI), (4) farmer practice maize yield (YCFP) and (5) proposed enhanced nutrient use yield (enhanced farmer practice; YEFP). Effect of supplementary irrigation was also assessed on YCFP and YEFP conditions. Yield gaps were determined as the difference between YPOT and YCFP or YEFP on the one hand, and between YWEX and YCFP or YEFP on the other hand. The yield gap based on potential yield ranged from 59% to 75% under CFP and narrowed to between 29% and 59% under EFP. With water-limited exploitable yields, the yield gap ranged from 53% to 65% under CFP, reducing to between 22% and 42% under EFP. The use of supplementary irrigation further reduced the yield gap. Improved fertiliser use and supplementary irrigation have the potential to increase yield and hence reduce the yield gap if effective policies and institutional structures are in place to provide farmers with credit facilities and farm inputs.en_US
dc.identifier.citationDilys S MacCarthy, Samuel G Adiku, Bright S Freduah, Alpha Y Kamara, Stephen Narh & Alhassan L Abdulai (2018) Evaluating maize yield variability and gaps in two agroecologies in northern Ghana using a crop simulation model, South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 35:2, 137-147, DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2017.1354407en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2017.1354407
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/31340
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSouth African Journal of Plant and Soilen_US
dc.subjectCrop simulation modelen_US
dc.subjectFertiliser useen_US
dc.subjectMaizeen_US
dc.subjectYield variabilityen_US
dc.titleEvaluating maize yield variability and gaps in two agroecologies in northern Ghana using a crop simulation modelen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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