Simulation of Maize and Soybean Yield Using DSSAT Under Long-term Conventional and No-till Systems

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2022

Abstract

Context: No-tillage (NT) has been gaining popularity over the conventional tillage (CT) for agricultural sustainability. Field experiments conducted worldwide to compare crop production under NT vs CT systems are generally site specific and expensive to maintain over longer duration. To overcome this gap, process-based models have been used to simulate the potential impact and benefits of various management practices on crop yield and soil properties under different environmental conditions.

Aims: (1) We evaluated the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize and CSM-CROPGRO-Soybean model for NT and CT systems; and (2) compared the long-term impacts of NT and CT on crop yield and soil organic carbon (SOC).

Methods: Two crop models, available in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT), were calibrated and evaluated using maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) yield data from 2006 through 2011 under CT and NT treatments.

Key results: For crop yield, we showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) for the calibration and evaluation phases of CERES-Maize model were 0.94 and 0.94, respectively, while the index of agreement (d) for these phases were 0.93 and 0.86. Similarly, the R2 values for the calibration and evaluation phases of CROPGRO-Soybean model were 1.00 and 0.65, respectively, with d-values of 0.99 and 0.85.

Conclusions: The results from these long-term (30-year) simulations suggest that compared to CT, the NT system enhanced SOC over time and, hence, crop yield and biomass production.

Implications: Application of NT can be beneficial for enhancing the soils and crop production in the long-term as compared to the CT system.

Publication Title

Soil Research

Volume

60

Issue

6

DOI of Published Version

10.1071/SR21042

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