Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling
Land and water are two major inputs for crop production. Simulation modelling was used to determine crop sequences that maximise farm return. Crop yield was determined for different irrigation scheduling scenarios based on the fraction of available soil water (FASW). Farm returns ($ ML<sup>−1&...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/5/1229 |
| _version_ | 1797502206974361600 |
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| author | Ketema Zeleke Jeff McCormick |
| author_facet | Ketema Zeleke Jeff McCormick |
| author_sort | Ketema Zeleke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Land and water are two major inputs for crop production. Simulation modelling was used to determine crop sequences that maximise farm return. Crop yield was determined for different irrigation scheduling scenarios based on the fraction of available soil water (FASW). Farm returns ($ ML<sup>−1</sup> and $ ha<sup>−1</sup>) were evaluated for seven crop sequences. Three irrigation water price scenarios (dry, median, wet) were considered. The yield of summer crops increased with irrigation. For winter crops, despite increase in irrigation, the yield would not increase. The optimum irrigation (ML ha<sup>−1</sup>) was: soybean 8.2, maize 10.4, wheat 2.5, barley 3.1, fababean 2.5, and canola 2.7. The water productivity curve of summer crops has a parabolic shape, increasing with FASW, reaching a maximum value at FASW 0.4–0.6, and then decreasing. The water productivity of winter crops decreases as FASW increases following a power function. Gross margins are positive when water is cheap ($60 ML<sup>−1</sup>) and when water has a median price ($124 ML<sup>−1</sup>). When water is expensive ($440 ML<sup>−1</sup>), positive gross margin would be obtained only for the continuous wheat scenario. Deficit irrigation of summer crops leads to significant yield loss. Supplemental irrigation of winter crops results in the highest gross margin per unit of water. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:29:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c4c53a50306e4db887229ffbaf7266c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:29:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-c4c53a50306e4db887229ffbaf7266c12023-11-23T09:44:51ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-05-01125122910.3390/agronomy12051229Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation ModellingKetema Zeleke0Jeff McCormick1School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaLand and water are two major inputs for crop production. Simulation modelling was used to determine crop sequences that maximise farm return. Crop yield was determined for different irrigation scheduling scenarios based on the fraction of available soil water (FASW). Farm returns ($ ML<sup>−1</sup> and $ ha<sup>−1</sup>) were evaluated for seven crop sequences. Three irrigation water price scenarios (dry, median, wet) were considered. The yield of summer crops increased with irrigation. For winter crops, despite increase in irrigation, the yield would not increase. The optimum irrigation (ML ha<sup>−1</sup>) was: soybean 8.2, maize 10.4, wheat 2.5, barley 3.1, fababean 2.5, and canola 2.7. The water productivity curve of summer crops has a parabolic shape, increasing with FASW, reaching a maximum value at FASW 0.4–0.6, and then decreasing. The water productivity of winter crops decreases as FASW increases following a power function. Gross margins are positive when water is cheap ($60 ML<sup>−1</sup>) and when water has a median price ($124 ML<sup>−1</sup>). When water is expensive ($440 ML<sup>−1</sup>), positive gross margin would be obtained only for the continuous wheat scenario. Deficit irrigation of summer crops leads to significant yield loss. Supplemental irrigation of winter crops results in the highest gross margin per unit of water.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/5/1229APSIMAustraliagross margindouble croppingirrigationwater price |
| spellingShingle | Ketema Zeleke Jeff McCormick Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling Agronomy APSIM Australia gross margin double cropping irrigation water price |
| title | Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling |
| title_full | Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling |
| title_fullStr | Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling |
| title_short | Crop Sequencing to Improve Productivity and Profitability in Irrigated Double Cropping Using Agricultural System Simulation Modelling |
| title_sort | crop sequencing to improve productivity and profitability in irrigated double cropping using agricultural system simulation modelling |
| topic | APSIM Australia gross margin double cropping irrigation water price |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/5/1229 |
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