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Analysis of the climatic constraints to maize production in the current agricultural region of Argentina—a probabilistic approach

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Abstract

A simple method of analysis was proposed to characterize the impact of climatic conditions of a wide region of Argentina (from 27°05′S to 35°48′S, from 61°5′W to 64°21′W) on potential maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, and the occurrence of various climatic constraints (low temperatures and low soil water content, frost, drought stress and heat stress) along the cycle. The analysis was based on previous studies of the eco-physiology of maize crops and the use of climatic records of six locations in the region under study. Results were analyzed using a probabilistic method, later organized as a checklist to consider when deciding on sowing date in a location of the region. Thus, for each production scenario (combination of location and sowing date), farmers would have a tool enabling them to pay particular attention to the restrictions more likely to occur, to include some cultural practices to avoid or mitigate the most severe climatic constraint to maize production.

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Acknowledgement

The author wishes to thank Jorge Mercau, José Micheloud, Gabriel Beligoi, Eileen Whitechurch, producers and technicians of the Argentina Association of Regional Consortiums for Agricultural Experimentation (AACREA) and the Argentina's Farmers Association of Direct Seeding (AAPRESID) by the various exchanges in the early stages of this work. Gustavo Maddonni is a researcher of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET). This work was partially funded by the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO Project 8031).

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  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA), Departamento de Producción Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453 (C1417DSE), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gustavo Angel Maddonni

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  1. Gustavo Angel Maddonni
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Correspondence to Gustavo Angel Maddonni.

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Maddonni, G.A. Analysis of the climatic constraints to maize production in the current agricultural region of Argentina—a probabilistic approach. Theor Appl Climatol 107, 325–345 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-011-0478-9

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