Understanding production potentials and yield gaps in intensive maize production in China

Meng, Qingfeng; Hou, Peng; Wu, Liang; Chen, Xinping; Cui, Zhenling; Zhang, Fusuo

doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2012.09.023

Cited by 263 publications

(174 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This is approximately 59.7% of the yield potential according to Meng [7], but much higher than that found in previous studies, in which the on-farm average yield was 7.5 t ha −1 [52] or 7.3 t ha −1 [7]. This difference may be due to the different study years and methods for obtaining yields: Liang and Meng's studies were conducted in 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 by surveying farmers.…”

Section: Yield and Pfp N On Farmsmentioning

confidence: 45%

Factors Affecting Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Summer Maize on Smallholder Farms in the North China Plain

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The summer maize yields and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (PFP N , grain yield per unit N fertilizer) on smallholder farms in China are low, and differ between farms due to complex, sub-optimal management practices. We collected data on management practices and yields from smallholder farms in three major summer maize-producing sites-Laoling, Quzhou and Xushui-in the North China Plain (NCP) for two growing seasons, during 2015-2016. Boundary line analysis and a Proc Mixed Model were used to evaluate the contribution of individual factors and their interactions. Summer maize grain yields and PFP N ranged from 6.6 t ha −1 to 14.2 t ha −1 and 15.4 kg kg −1 to 96.1 kg kg −1 , respectively, and averaged 10.5 t ha −1 and 49.1 kg kg −1 , respectively. The mean total yield gap and PFP N gap were 3.6 t ha −1 and 43.3 kg kg −1 in Laoling, 2.2 t ha −1 and 24.5 kg kg −1 in Xushui, and 2.8 t ha −1 and 41.1 kg kg −1 in Quzhou. A positive correlation was observed between the yield gap and PFP N gap; the PFP N gap could be reduced by 6.0 kg kg −1 (3.6-6.6 kg kg −1 ) by reducing the yield gap by 1 t ha −1 . The high yield and high PFP N (HH) fields had a higher plant density and lower N fertilization rate than the low yield and low PFP N (LL) fields. Our results show that multiple management factors caused the yield gap, but the relative contribution of plant density is slightly higher than that of other management practices, such as N input, the sowing date, and potassium fertilizer input. The low PFP N was mainly attributed to an over-application of N fertilizer. To enhance the sustainable production of summer maize, the production gaps should be tackled through programs that guide smallholder farmers on the adoption of optimal management practices.

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Section: Yield and Pfp N On Farmsmentioning

confidence: 45%

Factors Affecting Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Summer Maize on Smallholder Farms in the North China Plain

et al. 2018

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“…65 M tones, respectively, in 201265 M tones, respectively, in (FAO, 2013. Therefore, the changes in maize yields and yield potential in China have become a major research topic (Licker et al, 2010;Ray et al, 2012;Liang et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2012;Meng et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2014a). For examples, by comparing existing yields to climate-specific attainable yields, Licker et al (2010) showed that maize in eastern China generally had high yield gaps although this region was heavily irrigated.…”

Section: Contents Lists Available At Sciencedirectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and spatial changes of maize yield potentials and yield gaps in the past three decades in China

Tao

Zhang

et al. 2015

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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A B S T R A C TThe precise spatially explicit knowledge about crop yield potentials and yield gaps is essential to guide sustainable intensification of agriculture. In this study, the maize yield potentials from 1980 to 2008 across the major maize production regions of China were firstly estimated by county using ensemble simulation of a well-validated large scale crop model, i.e., MCWLA-Maize model. Then, the temporal and spatial patterns of maize yield potentials and yield gaps during 1980-2008 were presented and analyzed. The results showed that maize yields became stagnated at 32.4% of maize-growing areas during the period. In the major maize production regions, i.e., northeastern China, the North China Plain (NCP) and southwestern China, yield gap percentages were generally less than 40% and particularly less than 20% in some areas. By contrast, in northern and southern China, where actual yields were relatively lower, yield gap percentages were generally larger than 40%. The areas with yield gap percentages less than 20% and less than 40% accounted for 8.2% and 27.6% of maize-growing areas, respectively. During the period, yield potentials decreased in the NCP and southwestern China due to increase in temperature and decrease in solar radiation; by contrast, increased in northern, northeastern and southeastern China due to increases in both temperature and solar radiation. Yield gap percentages decreased generally by $~2% per year across the major maize production regions, although increased in some areas in northern and northeastern China. The shrinking of yield gap was due to increases in actual yields and decreases in yield potentials in the NCP and southwestern China; and due to larger increases in actual yields than in yield potentials in northeastern and southeastern China. The results highlight the importance of sustainable intensification of agriculture to close yield gaps, as well as breeding new cultivars to increase yield potentials, to meet the increasing food demand.

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“…Nevertheless, the average experimental yield in the North-East region of China was 13.6 t ha -1 , and farmers' yield averaged 9.3 t ha -1 ranging from 2.3 to 16.5 t ha -1 in a 2007 -2008 farmer survey (Meng et al, 2013). Yield differences might be attributed to inefficient crop management (Zhang et al, 2011) or genetic difference of varieties.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The regional average grain yield in Jilin Province has increased in recent years reaching 7.5 t ha -1 in 2011, and this province is the highest maize yield district in China (National Bureau of Statistic of China, 2012). However, a modelled potential yield of 15.4 to 15.9 t ha -1 was reported in North-East China, including Jilin Province, demonstrating a large yield gap between modelled potential yield and actual farm yield (Meng et al, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Maintenance of Crop Growth through 30 Days after Silking Contributes to Achieving Super-High Yield of Spring Maize

Tao

Chen

Liang

et al. 2014

Plant Production Science

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Understanding production potentials and yield gaps in intensive maize production in China

Cited by 263 publications

References 37 publications

Factors Affecting Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Summer Maize on Smallholder Farms in the North China Plain

Factors Affecting Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Summer Maize on Smallholder Farms in the North China Plain

Temporal and spatial changes of maize yield potentials and yield gaps in the past three decades in China

Maintenance of Crop Growth through 30 Days after Silking Contributes to Achieving Super-High Yield of Spring Maize

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