Using DSSAT-CENTURY Model to Simulate Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics Under a Low-Input Maize Cropping System

Mazellier, Patrick; Ebanyat, Peter; Tenywa, J. S.; Mwanjalolo, Majaliwa; Basamba, T. A.; Tenywa, Moses; Porter, Cheryl

doi:10.5539/jas.v6n5p120

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…We tested this hypothesis using the CENTURY module included in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) software (Hoogenboom et al, 2015; Porter et al, 2010) to simulate long‐term SOC dynamics in two long‐term experiments from the midwest United States and southern Brazil. The DSSAT‐CENTURY model has been used to simulate SOC dynamics in both low‐ and high‐yield agroecosystems (Gijsman, Hoogenboom, Parton, & Kerridge, 2002; Li, Yang, Drury, & Hoogenboom, 2015; Liu et al, 2017; Musinguzi et al, 2014). The experiments included in our study tested different soil tillage systems, nitrogen (N) sources and crop rotation with frequent plant and soil sampling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration with the DSSAT‐CENTURY model

Nicoloso

Amado

Rice

2020

European J Soil Science

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The adoption of no-till (NT) has been proposed to recover soil organic carbon (SOC), which will aid the mitigation of climate change. However, studies have questioned the potential of NT soils to deliver SOC sequestration and sustain crop yields. No-till experiments are relatively recent (<50 years) and very few studies were able to assess SOC dynamics in high-yield agroecosystems. We used the DSSAT-CENTURY model to predict long-term SOC (0-30 cm) using datasets from two experiments assessing tillage and nitrogen (N) sources in a Mollisol from the midwest United States (28 years) and tillage and crop rotations in an Oxisol from southern Brazil (33 years). The conversion of prairie and grassland soils to conventional agriculture decreased SOC by 61 and 12% in the Mollisol and Oxisol, respectively. Soil organic C accrual in NT soils was >0.5 Mg C ha −1 year −1 under medium-low-yield maize in the Mollisol and negligible in the Oxisol under soybean/wheat rotation. Organic fertilization and crop rotation increased SOC accrual at both sites. Simulated SOC had good agreement with observations for NT soils but overestimated SOC in tilled soils. The model's parameters were then modified for tilled soils. Long-term simulations (100 years) revealed that SOC accrual in NT soils (0-15 cm) is partially offset by losses at 15-30 cm under low C inputs. Simulations with best crop management practices (BP; irrigation, high-yield cultivars, higher plant density and improved N fertilization) augmented C inputs and SOC stocks, ultimately recovering SOC to the levels of prairie soils. Our results suggest that the adoption of NT, recycling of organic fertilizers and the use of BP should be further promoted for recovery and permanence of SOC in agricultural soils. Highlights • Studies have questioned the potential of conservation agriculture (CA) to deliver SOC sequestration and sustain crop yields. • We used the DSSAT-CENTURY model to simulate SOC dynamics in temperate and subtropical soils. • No-till under moderate C/N inputs recovered topsoil SOC, but subsurface losses offset SOC accrual.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration with the DSSAT‐CENTURY model

Nicoloso

Amado

Rice

2020

European J Soil Science

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“…Reinforcing farmers' knowledge with simple quantifiable scientific indicators is therefore important. The coherent ratings in low-fertility fields in both techniques can be instrumental for easily guiding generalized fertilizer application and fertility restoration strategies (Bekunda et al, 2010;Musinguzi et al, 2014). The findings with FFE technique also suggest that the threshold value of SOC could be lower than 1.2 % from the maize yield predictions.…”

Section: Soil Productivity Rated Using Farmers' Field Experiences Andmentioning

confidence: 64%

Precision of farmer-based fertility ratings and soil organic carbon for crop production on a Ferralsol

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Simple and affordable soil fertility ratings are essential, particularly for the resource-constrained farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), in planning and implementing prudent interventions. A study was conducted on Ferralsols in Uganda to evaluate farmer-based soil fertility assessment techniques, hereafter referred to as farmers' field experiences (FFE), for ease of use and precision, against more formal scientific quantitative ratings using soil organic carbon (SQR-SOC). A total of 30 fields were investigated and rated using both techniques, as low, medium and high in terms of soil fertility -with maize as the test crop. Both soil fertility rating techniques were fairly precise in delineating soil fertility classes, though the FFE was inefficient in distinguishing fields > 1.2 % SOC with medium and high fertility. Soil organic carbon, silt and clay were exceptionally influential, accounting for the highest percentage in grain yield of 50 % in the topsoil (0-15 cm) and 67 % for the mean concentrations from 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Each unit increase in SOC concentration resulted in 966 to 1223 kg ha −1 yield gain. The FFE technique was effective in identifying lowfertility fields, and this was coherent with the fields categorized as low (SOC < 1.2 %). Beyond this level, its precision can be remarkably increased when supplemented with the SQR-SOC technique.

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“…The DSSAT model simulates soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition processes as a potential major source of nutrients for low input farming systems. SOM can increase cation exchange capacity, moisture storage, and mineralizable nutrient levels, as well as improve soil structure and aggregate stability (Musinguzi et al 2014). Therefore, an understanding of the dynamics of SOM can be used to help develop best management practices for sustainable soil productivity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Yang et al (2013) simulated the effects of long-term N fertilization on maize yield and soil C and N dynamics in northeast China, and concluded that the DSSAT model with the CENTURY-based soil module can simulate soil N dynamics and predict long-term soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration well. Musinguzi et al (2014) used the DSSAT-CENTURY model to simulate SOC dynamics in a low-input maize cropping system, and found that the model was a potentially useful tool for predicting SOC dynamics in low-input systems. However, limited information is available about the use of the DSSAT model to study impacts of N fertilizer application on crop growth in the wheat-maize rotation system in the North China Plain region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the DSSAT model to simulate wheat yield and soil organic carbon under a wheat-maize cropping system in the North China Plain

Liu

Lei

et al. 2017

Journal of Integrative Agriculture

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Crop modelling can facilitate researchers' ability to understand and interpret experimental results, and to diagnose yield gaps. In this paper, the Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer 4.6 (DSSAT) model together with the CENTURT soil model were employed to investigate the effect of low nitrogen (N) input on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, grain N concentration and soil organic carbon (SOC) in a long-term experiment (19 years) under a wheat-maize (Zea mays L.) rotation at Changping, Beijing China. There were two treatments including N0 (zero N application) and N150 (150 kg ha -1 yr -1 N) applied annually as urea before wheat and maize planting, with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) basal fertilizers applied as 75 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 and 37.5 kg K 2 O ha -1 , respectively. The DSSAT-CENTURY models were able to satisfactorily simulate measured wheat grain yield and grain N concentration at N0, but could not simulate these parameters at N150, or SOC in either N treatment. Model simulation and field measurement showed that N application (N150) increased wheat yield compared to no N application (N0). The results indicated that inorganic fertilizer application at the rates used did not maintain crop yield and SOC levels. It is suggested that if the DSSAT is calibrated carefully, it can be a useful tool for assessing and predicting wheat yield, grain N concentration, and SOC trends under wheat-maize cropping systems.

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Using DSSAT-CENTURY Model to Simulate Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics Under a Low-Input Maize Cropping System

Cited by 14 publications

References 20 publications

Assessing strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration with the DSSAT‐CENTURY model

Assessing strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration with the DSSAT‐CENTURY model

Precision of farmer-based fertility ratings and soil organic carbon for crop production on a Ferralsol

Using the DSSAT model to simulate wheat yield and soil organic carbon under a wheat-maize cropping system in the North China Plain

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