A Crop Simulation Model for Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter)

Abstract

Tef is an Ethiopian staple grain that provides both food security and income for smallholders. As tef is nutritious and gluten free, it is also gaining popularity as a health food. A tef model was calibrated based on the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer’s (DSSAT) NWheat model and included parameter changes in phenology, photoperiod response, radiation use efficiency, and transpiration efficiency for both standard and elevated atmospheric CO2, based on published literature for tef and other C4 species. The new DSSAT-Tef model was compared with tef field experiments. DSSAT-Tef accurately simulated phenology and responded to changes in N supply and irrigation, but overestimated growth and occasionally yields. Simulation-observation comparisons resulted in an RMSE of 2.5 days for anthesis, 4.4 days for maturity, 2624 kg/ha (49.6%) for biomass, and 475 kg/ha (41.0%) for grain yield. Less data were available for N uptake, and the model simulated crop N uptake with an RMSE of 45 kg N/ha (46.2%) and 15 kg N/ha (37.3%) for grain N. While more data from contrasting environments are needed for further model testing, DSSAT-Tef can be used to assess the performance of crop management strategies, the suitability of tef for cultivation across growing environments, and food security.

Implementation and application of APSIM for crop modelling in Ethiopia: A comprehensive review

“…Furthermore, Refs. [ 22 , 23 , 27 , 32 ] applied these input data to validate the APSIM model simulation results. Commonly used weather data input for the APSIM model includes daily weather data (highest air temperature, lowest air temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, and rainfall) [ 23 , 26 ], as well as soil water parameters (bulk density, air dryness, drained upper and lower limits, saturated soil water content, and root water extraction coefficient), were needed for the calibration of the APSIM model [ 22 ].…”

Simulating the effect of climate change on barley yield in Ethiopia with the DSSAT‐CERES‐Barley model

“…Researchers around the globe have used DSSAT models for simulating climate change's effect on potential future yield (Araya et al., 2012; Endalew, 2019; Iglesias, 2009; Jiang et al., 2021; Paff & Asseng, 2019). Performance of the DSSAT model for simulating barley phenology, yield, soil water, and climate change effects are documented in many studies (Cammarano et al., 2020; Brogan, 2019; Hlavinka et al., 2010; Rötter et al., 2012).…”

Modelling future crop yields and water discharge for Ethiopia with LPJmL

“…The BT of the CFT Tropical Cereals was changed from the original 10 °C to 7.8 °C, which is the base temperature of teff, i.e. the main tropical cereal grown in Ethiopia (Paff & Asseng, 2019). The base temperature of maize was variable between 5 °C and 15 °C, which we set to 10 °C following Ogutu et al (2018).…”