Dataset Information

Diminishing weed control exacerbates maize yield loss to adverse weather.

ABSTRACT: Both weed interference and adverse weather can cause significant maize yield losses. However, most climate change projections on maize yields ignore the fact that weeds are widespread in maize production. Herein, we examine the effects of weed control and weather variability on maize yield loss due to weeds by using machine learning techniques on an expansive database of herbicide efficacy trials spanning 205 weather environments and 27 years. Late-season control of all weed species was the most important driver of maize yield loss due to weeds according to multiple analyses. Average yield losses of 50% were observed with little to no weed control. Furthermore, when the highest levels of weed control were not achieved, drier, hotter conditions just before and during silking exacerbated maize yield losses due to weeds. Current climate predictions suggest much of the US maize-growing regions will experience warmer, drier summers. This, coupled with the growing prevalence of herbicide resistance, increases the risk of maize yield loss due to weeds in the future without transformational change in weed management systems.

SUBMITTER: Landau CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9291076 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Diminishing weed control exacerbates maize yield loss to adverse weather.

Landau Christopher A CA Hager Aaron G AG Williams Martin M MM

Global change biology 20210908 23

Both weed interference and adverse weather can cause significant maize yield losses. However, most climate change projections on maize yields ignore the fact that weeds are widespread in maize production. Herein, we examine the effects of weed control and weather variability on maize yield loss due to weeds by using machine learning techniques on an expansive database of herbicide efficacy trials spanning 205 weather environments and 27 years. Late-season control of all weed species was the most ...[more]

PMID: 34420247

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Project description:Managing production environments in ways that promote weed community diversity may enhance both crop production and the development of a more sustainable agriculture. This study analyzed data of productivity of maize (corn) and soybean in plots in the Main Cropping System Experiment (MCSE) at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research (KBS-LTER) in Michigan, USA, from 1996 to 2011. We used models derived from population ecology to explore how weed diversity, temperature, and precipitation interact with crop yields. Using three types of models that considered internal and external (climate and weeds) factors, with additive or non-linear variants, we found that changes in weed diversity were associated with changes in rates of crop yield increase over time for both maize and soybeans. The intrinsic capacity for soybean yield increase in response to the environment was greater under more diverse weed communities. Soybean production risks were greatest in the least weed diverse systems, in which each weed species lost was associated with progressively greater crop yield losses. Managing for weed community diversity, while suppressing dominant, highly competitive weeds, may be a helpful strategy for supporting long term increases in soybean productivity. In maize, there was a negative and non-additive response of yields to the interaction between weed diversity and minimum air temperatures. When cold temperatures constrained potential maize productivity through limited resources, negative interactions with weed diversity became more pronounced. We suggest that: (1) maize was less competitive in cold years allowing higher weed diversity and the dominance of some weed species; or (2) that cold years resulted in increased weed richness and prevalence of competitive weeds, thus reducing crop yields. Therefore, we propose to control dominant weed species especially in the years of low yield and extreme minimum temperatures to improve maize yields. Results of our study indicate that through the proactive management of weed diversity, it may be possible to promote both high productivity of crops and environmental sustainability.

Project description:Maize is a major crop for food security, but its cultivation is threatened by climate change. Climate may affect the response of maize to fertilizer. This study examined the impact of weather parameters in combination with fertilizer types on maize growth and yield parameters in Benin. The experiment involved two sets of climatic scenarios. Scenario 1 (weather 1) had a moderate range of minimum and maximum temperatures and maximum humidity suitable for maize cultivation in Benin. Scenario 2 (Weather 2) featured a broader range of parameter values below and above those of Weather 1. Five types of fertilizers were tested: Organic (Cow dung), Chemical (NPK), Intermediate 1 (mixture of high NPK and low Cow dung), Intermediate 2 (mixture of middle NPK and middle cow dung), and Intermediate 3 (mixture of high cow dung and low NPK). These factors were combined in a split-plot design and data were collected on maize germination, growth, and yield variables. Models such as DNNsurv, Cox, linear mixed effect, and decision trees were used for data analysis. Results revealed that maize seeds had a higher probability of germination between 2 to 5 days after sowing, with over 80% of the seeds germinating the fifth day. Intermediate 1 and organic fertilizers were particularly effective in promoting maize growth, resulting in larger diameters and heights. Organic, chemical, and intermediate 1 fertilizers led to higher yields under weather scenario 2, while intermediate 3 and organic led to higher yields under weather 1, suggesting that organic fertilizers could be more sustainable and cost-effective than mineral fertilizers. Additionally, Weather 2 was associated with higher maize yields suggesting that, a relatively broader range of climate parameters would positively affect maize yield. These findings can assist farmers and policymakers in making well-informed decisions regarding the most suitable fertilizers to use under various weather conditions, maximizing their yield and profits.

Dataset Information

Diminishing weed control exacerbates maize yield loss to adverse weather.

Publications

Diminishing weed control exacerbates maize yield loss to adverse weather.

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