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- ItemInnovations in the Mechanization of Fertilizer Deep Placement(2023-04-18) Upendra Singh; Yashpal Singh SaharawatFertilizers are crucial for enhancing crop productivity, significantly contributing to India's agricultural growth amidst limited arable land and irrigation resources. Despite a 14-fold increase in fertilizer consumption, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in India remains critically low at less than 30%, resulting in substantial economic and environmental losses. To address these challenges, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with various stakeholders, has developed an innovative seed-and-fertilizer drill as part of the Assessment of State Fertilizer Scenario and Promoting Efficient Nutrient Management (ASPEN) project. This machine facilitates fertilizer deep placement (FDP), optimizing the application of NPK briquettes at an ideal depth of 5-6 cm, which improves rice productivity by 30% while reducing nitrogen losses and labor demands. The initiative not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also aims to transition farmers to an incentive-based production system through potential carbon credit opportunities.
- ItemLight Use Efficiency Crop Model Effective for Identifying Driving Factors for Maize Yield Gap in Ghana(2023) Mohamed Boullouz; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Anselme K. K. Kouame; Krishna P. Devkota; Williams K. Atakora; Bindraban, Prem S.In Ghana, maize (Zea mays) is a crucial crop for achieving food security. The population of Ghana, which has grown exponentially over the past decades, consumes about 25% of its calories from maize. In order to assist in decisionmaking and guide investment in Ghana’s agricultural intensification process, this study set out to quantify and explain the yield gap for maize using a new methodological approach. The yield gap for maize was found to range from 14% to 96%. The variation in the yield gap within a single station was related to the varying levels of yield obtained with different fertilizer treatments. None of the fertilizer combinations led to total closure of the gap in the studied locations. To identify the drivers for the yield gap, a multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis appeared to explain 68% of the yield difference. The main factors influencing the yield gap in the study areas were soil organic matter, soil water-holding capacity, root zone depth, rainfall, sulfur (S) fertilizer, and nitrogen (N) fertilizer. By adding 1% more soil organic matter, the gap could be reduced by 1.3 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). However, an increase in the pH of the soil and the application of potassium fertilizer could increase the yield gap of maize in Ghana.
- ItemYield Gap Analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Production in Morocco using a Light Use Efficiency Model (LINTUL) and Geostatistical Approaches(2023) Bouchra Darkaoui; Bindraban, Prem S.; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Martin Jemo; Anselme K. K. Kouame; Williams K. Atakora ; William AdzawlaWheat (Triticum aestivum) is a staple food crop in Morocco that plays an important role in the food security of the country. However, the crop production capacity of wheat at the national level is among the lowest at only at 1.6 metrictons per hectare(mt ha-1), compared to Egypt at 6.6 mt ha-1. Several detrimental biotic and abiotic factors curtailing wheat yield include climatic limitations, insufficient soil fertility, and inadequate management interventions. To better understand these drivers, this work simulates yield using a modeling approach based on light interception and utilization (LINTUL-1). The potential and observed yield data cover the period from 2011 to 2019 in various provinces of Morocco. The LINTUL-1 model was calibrated using crop characteristics and preliminary data generated from wheat production in Morocco. Geostatic techniques were further employed to physically map the levels of current yield production. The results showed that at the national scale the average simulated potential yield reached 5.5 mt ha-1, compared to an average observed yield of only 1.6 mt ha-1. The resulting yield gap was calculated for several different regions at an average of 3.9 mt ha-1. The yield gaps are controlled by many biotic and abiotic constraints, and the adoption of effective management techniques, such as fertilizer application, appropriate pest and disease management, and water management via irrigation, can reduce the gaps and contribute to food security in Morocco. Further studies to identify key factors that drive wheat yield variability at the regional yield level are envisaged to refine recommendations for farmers.
- ItemEstimation of Water-Limited Maize Yield using the LINTUL-2 Model and Spatial Analysis of the Yield Gap in Ghana(2023) K.B.D. Simperegui; Bindraban, Prem S.; Anselme K. K. Kouame; D.H. Peluffo-Ordóñez; Williams K. AtakoraMaize holds a significant position within Ghana’s cereal production, contributing to 45% of the total cereal production. Despite this, the average maize yield of 2.4 metric tons per hectare (mt ha-1) between 2017 and 2019 falls well below its potential range of 5-6 mt ha-1. To comprehensively grasp the dynamics of the maize yield gap in Ghana, we employed the light use efficiency(LINTUL-2) crop model alongside statistical and geospatial analyses. This allowed us to assess the variability of maize water-limited potential yield and yield gap across 10 designated study sites, extending our evaluation to a national scale. Utilizing random forest regression, followed by ridge regression, we endeavored to uncover the principal drivers behind maize yield gap in Ghana. Our findings reveal a water-limited yield gap ranging from 18% to 74% across the 10 study sites and diverse fertilizer treatments. The combined approach of random forest and ridge regression, explaining 87% of the yield gap variability (RMSE = 472.6kg ha-1), highlights noteworthy trends. Notably, at a 5% confidence level, soil organic matter, soil carbon content, base saturation, and soil nitrogen content emerge as the most influential factors, explaining 13.81%, 13.80%, 11.56% and 10.25% of the maize yield gap variability under water limited conditions, respectively. The Ridge Regression underscores the significance of soil organic matter, base saturation, soil nitrogen content, nitrogen application, phosphorus application, potassium application, and sulfur application for reducing the maize yield gap. Our research also emphasis the potential of sulfur application as a secondary nutrient to effectively decrease the maize yield gap, particularly when integrated with macronutrients (NPK) and the kriging interpolation reveals high potential for maize production in the northern part of the country.
- ItemHealthy Soils Change Lives(2023) IFDCOver the next few decades, global population growth will lead to a significant rise in food demand, with the world needing to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050. This increased demand for nutritious food comes amidst escalating risks to global agriculture from climate change and dwindling land and water resources. To address these challenges, fundamental changes in food systems are necessary to sustainably nourish a growing population while minimizing agriculture's environmental impact. IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center) plays a crucial role in tackling these issues by focusing on soil health improvement and technology transfer. Through partnerships with various stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, and local entrepreneurs, IFDC works to develop and disseminate technologies that enhance soil fertility, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen market linkages. By prioritizing long-term impacts and bridging the gap between research, smallholder farmers, and markets, IFDC aims to address global food security challenges and promote environmental sustainability.