Title
The effect of year-to-year variability on planting date and relative maturity selection for maize
Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2019
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Agronomy
First Advisor
Sotirios V. Archontoulis
Second Advisor
Mark A. Licht
Abstract
Current maize (Zea mays L.) planting date recommendations have not been updated in the state of Iowa since 2001. A state that produced 68.8 million tons of maize on 5.5 million hectares in 2016. It is imperative that this information be regularly updated as both climate and maize hybrid selection are constantly changing. We analyzed maize yield and phenology, from a multi-location, year, relative maturity (RM), and planting date (PD) experiment carried out in Iowa, US. The dataset was used to calibrate a site-specific model (Agricultural Production System sIMulation, APSIM) and extrapolate APSIM results across Iowa, using a region scale model (parallel System for Integrating Impact Models and Sectors, pSIMS). Our objectives were to determine the combination of PD and RM to maximize maize grain yield by environment and to explain the risk associated with the use of full season RM when planting dates are delayed beyond the optimum PD. Additionally, the impact of climate change effects on optimum PD and RM selection by location were examined.
Field scale analysis found slight grain yield differences between full and short season RM on a given PD with yield maximized when planting occurred at or before May 5th. However, running a regional scale model over 36 years, we determined that a static recommendation of optimum PD is not suitable as large variation exists between locations within the state and between years. The coefficient of variation (CV) was 20% and 68% for the optimum PD within and between years respectively. Furthermore, the PD window, or time frame around the optimum PD to achieve 98% of maximum yield, across years was heavily influenced by latitude and RM selection. Overall, this study brings new results to assist decision making regarding PD and RM across Iowa.
Copyright Owner
MitchBaum
Copyright Date
2019-05
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
88 pages
Recommended Citation
Baum, Mitch, "The effect of year-to-year variability on planting date and relative maturity selection for maize" (2019). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 16972.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/16972
