Exploring avenues for agricultural intensification: A case study for maize-soybean in the Southern US region. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Massigoge, Ignacio; Carcedo, Ana; de Borja Reis, Andre Froes; Mitchell, Clay; Day, Scott; Oliverio, Joaquin; Truong, Sandra H.; McCormick, Ryan F.; Rotundo, Jose; Lira, Sara; Ciampitti, Ignacio; Messina, Carlos D.
• Is Part Of: Agricultural systems. Volume 204(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Maize -- Soybean -- Cycle length -- Land equivalent ratio (LER) -- Risk assessment; Agricultural systems -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 338.16
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103539
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-521X

Abstract

Abstract: CONTEXT: Crop intensification is a key aspect for achieving global food security and exploring options for optimizing land use and environmental resources. Following this rationale, a maize ( Zea mays L.) – soybean ( Glycine max L.) double cropping was tested to intensify current agricultural systems in the Southern region of the United States (US). OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to i) assess the feasibility of cultivating maize-soybean double crop in the Southern US, ii) explore the best scenario of maize-soybean crops integrating field data with APSIM crop growth model via calculation of the land equivalent ratio (LER), and iii) evaluate the risk of crop failure for each crop combination. METHODS: For this case study, one year field research and in-silico experiments using 30-years of weather data were analyzed to evaluate the different lengths of growth cycle for both crops for yield, LER, and percentage of success. The feasibility of the maize-soybean sequence was determined by increasing yield gain for the soybean crop while maintaining similar yield for maize crop. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Simulated LER values ranged from 1.1 to 1.3 with the maize hybrid 110 comparative relative maturity followed by a soybean maturity group 3.0 as the best combination for maximum LER. Lastly, long-term simulations confirmed the low risk associated with maize-soybean double crop sequences across sowing dates. SIGNIFICANCE: Expanding the implementation of this farming system could produce additional benefits not only on productivity and land use efficiency but in overall economic return for farmers in the Southern US region. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Maize-soybean double cropping is a feasible production system in the Southern US. Maximum land equivalent ratio was achieved with long-season maize with intermediate to long soybean maturity group. Maize yield contribution to LER is a key factor for the overall maize-soybean system. Soybean risk of not reaching maturity across sowing dates and maturities was low (<25%).