Maize Growth and Yield Modelling Using AquaCrop Under Deficit Irrigation with Sole and Combined Application of Biochar and Inorganic Fertiliser

Biochar amendment has been widely investigated, in both laboratory and field experiments and reported to improve some soil quality parameters, with consequent net positive effect on crop growth and yield. However, the use of modelling techniques to predict maize growth and yields in soils individual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of soil science and plant nutrition Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 2440 - 2453
Main Authors:	Faloye, Oluwaseun Temitope, Ajayi, Ayodele Ebenezer, Alatise, Micheal Olanrewaju, Ewulo, Babatunde Sunday, Horn, Rainer
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Cham Springer International Publishing 01-12-2020 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Agricultural production Agriculture Agrochemicals Biomass Biomedical and Life Sciences Carbon Charcoal Climate change Corn Crop growth Crop production Crop yield Crops Drought Ecology Environment Environmental impact Fertilizers Field tests Grain Growing season Impact prediction Irrigation Irrigation water Life Sciences Mineral fertilizers Modelling Moisture content Original Paper Plant Sciences Productivity Rain Simulation Soil amendment Soil improvement Soil quality Soil Science & Conservation Soil treatment Soil water Water shortages Nigeria Productivity Model Soil fertility Canopy cover Soil amendment
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Summary:	Biochar amendment has been widely investigated, in both laboratory and field experiments and reported to improve some soil quality parameters, with consequent net positive effect on crop growth and yield. However, the use of modelling techniques to predict maize growth and yields in soils individually or co-applied with biochar and inorganic fertiliser is scanty. In this study, we used field obtained data for two growing seasons, to calibrate and validate AquaCrop model for the prediction of canopy cover (CC), grain yield and total biomass yield of maize grown in biochar amended soil and the unamended control. Treatments consist of biochar application at two rates, 0 and 20 Mg ha −1 , in combination with inorganic fertiliser at two rates, 0 and 300 kg ha −1 , under different irrigation water managements. The simulation results replicated with good accuracy the field-measured soil water, CC, grain yield and total biomass yield, increasing in this order: F 0 B 0 (Control) < F 0 B 20 (Biochar alone) < F 300 B 0 (Fertiliser alone) < F 300 B 20 (Fertiliser + Biochar). In all treatments, the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), modelling efficiency (EF), and the normalised root mean square error (NRMSE) for CC ranged between 0.93–0.99, 0.71–0.92, and 0.12–0.20, respectively, in both growing seasons. The NRMSE and R 2 were < 10% and > 0.88 in all treatments for grain yield and total biomass yields, indicating a good predictive ability. Therefore, modelling approach with the use of AquaCrop predicted the suppressed negative impact of drought on crop productivity in soil treated with biochar and inorganic fertiliser.
ISSN:	0718-9508 0718-9516
DOI:	10.1007/s42729-020-00310-1