Simulation Supplements Field Studies to Determine No‐Till Dryland Corn Population Recommendations for Semiarid Western Nebraska

• Published in: Agronomy journal Vol. 95; no. 4; pp. 884 - 891
• Main Authors: Lyon, Drew J., Hammer, Graeme L., McLean, Greg B., Blumenthal, Jürg M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison American Society of Agronomy 01-07-2003
• ISSN: 0002-1962; 1435-0645
• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2003.8840

In a 2‐yr multiple‐site field study conducted in western Nebraska during 1999 and 2000, optimum dryland corn (Zea mays L.) population varied from less than 1.7 to more than 5.6 plants m−2, depending largely on available water resources. The objective of this study was to use a modeling approach to investigate corn population recommendations for a wide range of seasonal variation. A corn growth simulation model (APSIM‐maize) was coupled to long‐term sequences of historical climatic data from western Nebraska to provide probabilistic estimates of dryland yield for a range of corn populations. Simulated populations ranged from 2 to 5 plants m−2. Simulations began with one of three levels of available soil water at planting, either 80, 160, or 240 mm in the surface 1.5 m of a loam soil. Gross margins were maximized at 3 plants m−2 when starting available water was 160 or 240 mm, and the expected probability of a financial loss at this population was reduced from about 10% at 160 mm to 0% at 240 mm. When starting available water was 80 mm, average gross margins were less than $15 ha−1, and risk of financial loss exceeded 40%. Median yields were greatest when starting available soil water was 240 mm. However, perhaps the greater benefit of additional soil water at planting was reduction in the risk of making a financial loss. Dryland corn growers in western Nebraska are advised to use a population of 3 plants m−2 as a base recommendation.