Yield Gap Analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Production in Morocco using a Light Use Efficiency Model (LINTUL) and Geostatistical Approaches
Loading...
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Wheat (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.
Description
Keywords
Food security, Wheat
Citation
Darkaoui, Bouchra, Prem S. Bindraban, Isaac Newton Kissiedu, Martin Jemo, Anselme K.K. Kouame, Williams K. Atakora, and William Adzawla. 2023. Yield Gap Analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Production in Morocco using a Light Use Efficiency Model (LINTUL) and Geostatistical Approaches. IFDC FERARI Research Report No. 12.