Abstract
Biochar amendment has been widely investigated, in both laboratory and field experiments and reported to improve some soil quality parameters, with consequent net positive effect on crop growth and yield. However, the use of modelling techniques to predict maize growth and yields in soils individually or co-applied with biochar and inorganic fertiliser is scanty. In this study, we used field obtained data for two growing seasons, to calibrate and validate AquaCrop model for the prediction of canopy cover (CC), grain yield and total biomass yield of maize grown in biochar amended soil and the unamended control. Treatments consist of biochar application at two rates, 0 and 20 Mg ha−1, in combination with inorganic fertiliser at two rates, 0 and 300 kg ha−1, under different irrigation water managements. The simulation results replicated with good accuracy the field-measured soil water, CC, grain yield and total biomass yield, increasing in this order: F0B0 (Control) < F0B20 (Biochar alone) < F300B0 (Fertiliser alone) < F300B20 (Fertiliser + Biochar). In all treatments, the coefficient of determination (R2), modelling efficiency (EF), and the normalised root mean square error (NRMSE) for CC ranged between 0.93–0.99, 0.71–0.92, and 0.12–0.20, respectively, in both growing seasons. The NRMSE and R2 were < 10% and > 0.88 in all treatments for grain yield and total biomass yields, indicating a good predictive ability. Therefore, modelling approach with the use of AquaCrop predicted the suppressed negative impact of drought on crop productivity in soil treated with biochar and inorganic fertiliser.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abedinpour MA, Sarangi TBS, Rajput M, Singh H, Pathak AT (2012) Performance evaluation of AquaCrop model for maize crop in a semi-arid environment. Agric Water Manag 110(3):55–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2012.04.001
Adekiya AO, Agbede TM, Aboyeji CM, Dunsin O, Simeon VT (2019) Biochar and poultry manure effects on soil properties and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) yield. Biol Agric Hortic 35(1):33–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2018.1500306
Agbna GHD, Dongli S, Zhipeng L, Elshaikh NA, Guangcheng S, Timm LC (2017) Effects of deficit irrigation and biochar addition on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato. Sci Hortic 222:90–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.05.004
Ahmadi SH, Mosallaeepour E, Kamgar-Haghighi AA, Sepaskhah AR (2015) Modeling maize yield and soil water content with AquaCrop under full and deficit irrigation managements. Water Resour Manag 29:2837–2853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-015-0973-3
Ajayi AE, Holthusen D, Horn R (2016) Changes in microstructural behaviour and hydraulic functions of biochar amended soils. Soil Tillage Res 155:166–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2015.08.007
Ajayi AE, Horn R (2016) Modification of chemical and hydro-physical properties of two texturally differentiated soils due to varying magnitudes of added biochar. Soil Tillage Res 164:34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.01.011
Ajayi AE, Horn R (2017) Biochar-induced changes in soil resilience: effects of soil texture and biochar dosage. Pedosphere 27(2):236–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60313-8
Akhtar SS, Guitong L, Mathias NA, Fulai L (2014) Biochar enhances yield and quality of tomato under reduced irrigation. Agric Water Manag 138:37–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2014.02.016
Akinbile, O C, Ajibade, O F, Babalola T (2016) Assessing the impacts of irrigation systems on food security in southwestern Nigeria. Proceedings of the 37th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers. Chemical Engineering Hall, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Volume 37
Akinbile OC, Ogundipe A, Davids RO (2020) Crop water requirements, biomass and grain yields estimation for upland rice using CROPWAT, AquaCrop and CERES simulation models. Agric Eng Int CIGR J 22(2):1–20
Albrizio R, Steduto P (2005) Resource use efficiency of field-grown sunflower, sorghum, wheat and chickpea: I. Radiation use efficiency. Agric For Meteorol 130:254–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2005.03.09
Allen R G, Pereira L S, Raes D, Smith M (1998) Crop evapotranspiration: guideline for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation and Drainage paper No 56, 300pp
Andarzian BM, Bannayan P, Steduto H, Mazraeh ME, Barati MA, Barati A, Rahama (2011) Validation and testing of the AquaCrop model under full and deficit irrigated wheat production in Iran. Agric Water Manag 100(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2011.08.023
Babel MS, Deb P, Soni P (2018) Performance evaluation of AquaCrop and DSSAT-CERES for maize under different irrigation and manure application rates in the Himalayan region of India. Agric Res 8:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0366-y
Biazin B, Stroosnijder L (2012) To tie or not to tie ridges for water conservation in Rift Valley drylands of Ethiopia. Soil Tillage Res 124:83–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2012.05.006
Blake G R, Hartage K H (1986) Bulk density. methods of soil analysis, Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods A. Klute Agronomy Monograph No. 9, 2nd Ed. pp. 363–375 Madison, WI, USA
Brisson N, Gary C, Justes E, Roche R, Mary B, Ripoche D, Zimmer D, Sierra J, Bertuzzi P, Burger P, Bussière F, Cabidoche YM, Cellier P, Debaeke P, Gaudillère JP, Hénault C, Maraux F, Seguin B, Sinoquet H (2002) An overview of the crop model STICS. Eur J Agron 18:309–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(02)00110-7
Cetin O, Uygan D (2008) The effect of drip line spacing, irrigation regimes and planting geometrics of tomato on yield, irrigation water use efficiency and net return. Agric Water Manag 95:949–958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2008.03.002
Delve RJ, Probert ME, Cobo JG, Ricaurte J, Rivera M, Barrios E, Rao IM (2009) Simulating phosphorus responses in annual crops using APSIM: model evaluation on contrasting soil types. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 84:293–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-008-9243-6
Doorenbos J, Kassam A H (1979) Yield response to water. Irrigation and Drainage Paper no. 33. FAO, Rome, Italy, 193
El-Hendawy SE, Schmidhalter U (2010) Optimal coupling combinations between irrigation frequency and rate for drip-irrigated maize grown on sandy soil. Agric Water Manag 97:439–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.11.002
Enujeke EC (2013) Effects of variety and spacing on yield indices of open-pollinated maize in Asaba area of Delta State E. Sustain Agric Res 2(4):1–11. https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v2n4p1
Fagbenro JA, Oshunsanya SO, Oyeleye B, Aduayi EA (2018) Effect of two biochar types and inorganic fertiliser on soil chemical properties and growth of maize. Int Educ Sci Res J 4(2):43–49
Faloye OT, Ajayi AE, Alatise MO, Ewulo BS, Horn R (2020) Nutrient uptake, maximum yield production and economic return of maize under deficit irrigation with biochar and inorganic fertiliser amendments. Biochar 1:375–388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00032-3
Faloye OT, Alatise MO (2015) Computer algorithm for irrigated water–yield response of cowpea under sprinkler irrigation system. J Agric Ecol Res Int 3(4):168–184. https://doi.org/10.9734/JAERI/2015/17298
Faloye OT, Alatise MO, Ajayi AE, Ewulo BS (2017) Synergistic effects of biochar and inorganic fertiliser on maize yield in an alfisol under drip irrigation. Soil Tillage Res 174:214–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2017.07.013
Faloye OT, Alatise MO, Ajayi AE, Ewulo BS (2019) Effects of biochar and inorganic fertiliser applications on growth, yield and water use efficiency of maize under deficit irrigation. Agric Water Manag 217:165–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2019.02.044
Fang Q, Ma L, Yu Q, Malone RW, Saseendran SA, Ahuja LR (2008) Modeling nitrogen and water management effects in a wheat-maize double-cropping system. J Environ Qual 37:2232–2242. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2007.0601
Farahani HJ, Izzi G, Oweis TY (2009) Parameterization and evaluation of the AquaCrop model for full and deficit irrigated cotton. Agron J 101:469–476
Fasinmirin J T, Reichert J M, Ajayi A E (2014) Leaf chlorophyll and biomass yield of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill) under different urea application rates. Proceedings of the 2014 international conference of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, pp. 154-161
Fosu-Mensah BY, Maccarthy DS, Vlek PLG, Safo E (2012) Simulating impact of seasonal climatic variation on the response of maize (Zea mays L.) to inorganic fertiliser in sub-humid Ghana. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 94:255–271
Gaskin JW, Speir RA, Harris K, Das KC, Lee RD, Morris LA, Fisher DS (2010) Effect of peanut hull and pine chip biochar on soil nutrients, corn nutrient status, and yield. Agron J 102(2):623–633. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2009.0083
Geerts S, Raes D, Garcia M, Vacher J, Mamani R, Mendoza J, Huanca R, Morales B, Miranda R, Cusicanqui J, Taboada C (2008) Introducing deficit irrigation to stabilize yields of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Eur J Agron 28:427–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2007.11.008
Geneille EG, Yu-Min W (2016) Assessment of FAO AquaCrop model for simulating maize growth and productivity under deficit irrigation in a tropical environment. Water 8(1):557–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2007.11.008
Heng LK, Hsiao S, Evett T, Steduto H (2009) Validating the FAO AquaCrop model for irrigated and water deficient field maize. Agron J 101(3):488–498
Hsiao TC, Heng L, Steduto P, Rojas-Lara B, Raes D, Fereres E (2009) AquaCrop-the FAO crop model to simulate yield response to water: III. Parameterization and testing for maize. Agron J 101:448–459. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2008.0218s
Igbal MA, Shen Y, Stricevic R, Pei H, Sun H, Amiri E, Penas A, del Rio S (2014) Evaluation of the FAO AquaCrop model for winter wheat on the North China Plain under deficit irrigation from field experiment to regional yield simulation. Agric Water Manag 35:61–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2013.12.012
International Biochar Initiative (IBI) (2011) Standardized product definition and product testing guidelines for biochar that is used in soil. http://www.biochar-international.org/characterization standard (accessed November 2015)
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (2014) Maize Seed Production Manual. www.iita.org ()
Jamieson PD, Porter JR, Wilson DR (1991) A test of computer simulation model ARC-WHEAT1 on wheat crops grown in New Zealand. Field Crop Res 27:337–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(91)90040-3
Jin X, Hai-kuan F, Xin-kai ZZL, Sen-nan S, Xiao-yu S, Guijun Y, Xin-gang X, Wen-shan G (2014) Assessment of the AquaCrop model for use in simulation of irrigated winter wheat canopy cover, biomass, and grain yield in the North China Plain. PLoS One 9(1):e86938. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086938
Jones C A, Kiniry J R (1986) Ceres-N maize: a simulation model of maize growth and development. Texas A and M University press, College station, Temple, TX, pp 49-111
Karimi M, Gomrokchi A (2011) Yield and water use efficiency of corn planted in one or two rows and applying furrow or drip tape irrigation systems in Ghazvin Province, Iran. Irrig Drain 60:35–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.562
Karyoti A, Bartzialis D, Sakellariou-Makrantonaki M, Danalatos N (2018) Effects of irrigation and green manure on corn (Zea mays L.) biomass and grain yield. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 18(3):820–832. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162018005002401
Kazemi R, Ronaghi A, Yasrebi J, Ghasemi-Fasaei R, Zarei M (2019) Effect of shrimp waste–derived biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungus on yield, antioxidant enzymes, and chemical composition of corn under salinity stress. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 19(4):758–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00075-2
Keller J, Bliesner R D (1990) Sprinkler and trickle irrigation. Chapman and hall, 115 fifth avenue, New York, NY 10003, USA, 652 PP
Lal R, Stewart BA (2013) Principles of sustainable soil Management in Agroecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton
Lawlor DW, Lemaire G, Gastal F (2001) Nitrogen, plant growth and crop yield. In: Lea PJ, Morot-Gaudry JF (eds) Plant nitrogen. Springer, Berlin, pp 343–367
Li J (2009) Production, breeding and process of maize in China. In: Bennetzen JL, Hake SC (eds) Handbook of maize: its biology. Springer, New York, pp 563–576
Liu X, Zhang A, Ji C, Joseph S, Bian R, Li L, Pan G, Paz-Ferreiro J (2013) Biochar’s effect on crop productivity and the dependence on experimental conditions—a meta-analysis of literature data. Plant Soil 373:583–594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1806-x
Major J, Rondon M, Molina D, Riha SJ, Johannes L (2010) Maize yield and nutrition after 4 years of doing biochar application to a Colombian savanna oxisol. Plant Soil 333:117–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0327-0
Mando A, Ouattara B, Sedogo M, Stroosnijder L, Ouattara K, Brussaard L, Vanlauwe B (2005) Long-term effect of tillage and manure application on soil organic fractions and crop performance under Sudano-Sahelian conditions. Soil Tillage Res 80:95–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.03.002
Marcos BC, Sidney RV, Adre LOV, Lenilson DSM, Lucia HCDA, Daniel FDC (2009) Topography and spatial variability of soil physical properties. Sci Agric 66(3):338–352. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162009000300009
Mebane VJ, Day RL, Hamlett JL, Watson JE, Roth GW (2013) Validating the FAO AquaCrop model for rain-fed maize in Pennsylvania. Agron J 105:419–427. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2012.0337
Mete FZ, Mia S, Dijkstra F, Abuyusuf A, Hossain AS (2015) Synergistic effects of biochar and NPK fertiliser on soybean yield in an alkaline soil. Pedosphere 25(5):713–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/S10020160(15)30052-7
Ndor E, Dauda SN, Azagakui ED (2015) Response of maize varieties (Zea mays L.) to biochar amended soil in Lafia, Nigeria. Am J Exp Agric 5(6):525–531. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJEA/2015/12375
Oguntunde PG, Fosu M, Ajayi AE, Van de Giesen N (2004) Effects of charcoalproduction on maize yield, chemical properties and texture. Biol Fertil Soils 39:295–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0707-1
Oktem A (2008) Effect of water shortage on yield, and protein and mineral compositions of drip-irrigated sweet corn in sustainable agricultural systems. Agric Water Manag 95:1003–1010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2008.03.006
Oladele SO, Adeyemo AJ, Awodun MA (2019) Influence of rice husk biochar an inorganic fertiliser on soil nutrients availability on rain-fed rice yield on two contrasting soils. Geoderma 336:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.08.025
Oyebode, M A, Igbadun H E, Kim S C (2011) Evaluation of hydraulic characteristic of a gravity drip irrigation kit. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineering (NIAE Ilorin 2011) 32: 851–856
Peng Y, Li X, Li C (2012) Temporal and spatial profiling of root growth revealed novel response of maize roots under various nitrogen supplies in the field. PLoS One 7(5):e37726. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037726
Raes D, Steduto P, Hsiao TC, Fereres E (2009) AquaCrop-the FAO crop model to simulate yield response to water: II. Main algorithms and software description. Agron J 101:438–447. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2008.0140s
Ray D K, Mueller N D, West P C, Foley J A (2013) Yield trends are insufficient to double global crop production by 2050. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066428
Reddy SS, Nyakatawa EZ, Reddy KC, Raper RL, Reeves DW, Lemunyon JL (2009) Long-term effects of poultry litter and conservation tillage on crop yields and soil phosphorus in cotton-cotton-corn rotation. Field Crop Res 114:311–319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2009.09.001
Ruzica S, Zeljko D, Nevenka D, Marija C (2015) Application of the AquaCrop model to simulate the biomass of Miscanthus x giganteus under different nutrient supply conditions. Glob Change Biol Bioenergy 7(1):1203–1210. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12206
Singh R, Singh P, Singh H, Raghubanshi AS (2019) Impact of sole and combined application of biochar, organic fertiliser and chemical fertiliser on wheat crop yield and water productivity in a dry tropical agro-ecosystem. Biochar 2(1):229–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00013-6
Sohi S, Krull E, Lopez-Capel E, Bol R (2010) A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Adv Agron 105:47–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(10)05002-9
Soil Survey Staff (2006) Keys to soil taxonomy, ninth edn. NRCS, USDA
Steduto P, Hsiao TC, Raes D, Fereres E (2009) AquaCrop-the FAO crop model to simulate yield response to water: I. concepts and underlying principles. Agron J 101:426–437. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2008.0139s
Steiner C, Teixeira WG, Lehmann J, Nehls T, Mace Do JLV, Blum WEH, Zech W (2007) Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil. Plant Soil 291(1):275–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9193-9
Stewart DW, Dwyer LM (1999) Mathematical characterization of leaf shape and area of maize hybrids. Crop Sci 39:422–427. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1999.0011183X0039000200021x
Stockle CO, Donatelli M, Nelson R (2003) CropSyst, a cropping systems simulation model. Eur J Agron 18:289–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(02)00109-0
Talaat NB (2020) 24-Epibrassinolide and Spermine combined treatment sustains maize (Zea mays L.) drought tolerance by improving photosynthetic efficiency and altering phytohormones profile. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20:516–529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00138-4
Todorovic M, Albrizio R, Zivotic L, Abi Saab MT, Stöckle C, Steduto P (2009) Assessment of AquaArop, CropSyst, and WOFOST models in the simulation of sunflower growth under different water regimes. Agron J 101:509–521. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2008.0166s
Topoliantz S, Ponge JF, Ballof S (2005) Manioc peel and charcoal: a potential organic amendment for sustainable soil fertility in the tropics. Biol Fertil Soils 41:15–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0804-9
Ullah N, Ditta A, Khalid A, Mehmood S, Rizwan MS, Ashraf M, Iqbal MM (2019) Integrated effect of algal biochar and plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria on physiology and growth of maize under deficit irrigations. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20:346–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00112-0
Uzoma KC, Inoue M, Andry H, Fujimaki H, Zahoor A, Nishihara E (2011) Effect ofcow manure biochar on maize productivity under sandy soil condition. Soil Use Manag 27(2):205–212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2011.00340.x
Van Gaelen H, Tsegay A, Delbecque N, Shrestha N, Garcia M, Fajardo H, Miranda R, Vanuytrecht E, Abrha B, Diels J, Raes D (2015) A semi-quantitative approach for modelling crop response to soil fertility: evaluation of the AquaCrop procedure. J Agric Sci 153:1218–1233. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859614000872
Walburg G, Bauer ME, Daughtry CSI (1981) Effects of nitrogen nutrition on the growth, yield and reflectance characteristics of corn canopies. In: LARS technical reports no. 22. Purdue University, Indiana, USA, p 21. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1982.00021962007400040020x
Woolf D, Amonette JE, Stree-Perrott FA, Lehmann J, Joseph S (2010) Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nat Commun 1:1–56. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1053
Zeleke KT, Luckett D, Cowley R (2011) Calibration and testing of the FAO AquaCrop model for canola. Agron J 103:1610–1618. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2011.0150
Zhang F, Yin G, Wang Z, McLaughlin N, Geng X (2013) Quantifying spatial variability of selected soil trace elements and their scaling relationships using multifractal techniques. PLoS One 8(7):e69326. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069326
Zhang R, Cheng Z, Zhang J, Xuewei J (2012) Sandy loam soil wetting patterns of drip irrigation: a comparison of point and line sources. Procedia Eng 28:506–511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.01.759
Zou C, Gao X, Shi R, Fan X, Zhang F (2008) Micronutrient deficiencies in crop production in China. In: Alloway BJ (ed) Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production. Springer, Berlin, pp 127–148
Funding
This study was partly funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria (Grant number 234).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic supplementary material
ESM 1
(DOCX 185 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Faloye, O.T., Ajayi, A.E., Alatise, M.O. et al. Maize Growth and Yield Modelling Using AquaCrop Under Deficit Irrigation with Sole and Combined Application of Biochar and Inorganic Fertiliser. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20, 2440–2453 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00310-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00310-1