Final 2012 Dryland and Irrigated Corn Yield Predictions Based on Hybrid-Maize Model Simulations

Final 2012 Dryland and Irrigated Corn Yield Predictions Based on Hybrid-Maize Model Simulations

September 12, 2012

Hybrid-Maize is a corn simulation model that estimates corn yield potential under irrigated or dryland conditions, based on weather, planting date, hybrid maturity, and soil type, assuming optimal crop management. By comparing simulated end-of-season yield potential against the long-term average, it is possible to estimate the expected yield difference (Table 1, first column from the right).

Map of sites used for yield forecasts

Figure 1. Locations used by the Hybrid-Maize model for in-season yield forecasting with actual weather and dominant management practices and soil series at each site (indicated by starts).  Green areas indicate where corn is planted.  Weather data used is from the High Plains Regional Climate Center and the Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program through the Illinois Climate Network (Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). Link to a larger version of Figure 1 and Table 1.

The question arises: how reliable are these projections? In areas where there has been relatively little heat or water stress, experience indicates that predictions of yield potential using Hybrid-Maize are robust. In contrast, we would expect Hybrid-Maize to underestimate predictions of yield loss in areas where there was high temperature stress during the critical two- to three-day period of pollination, or where there were severe water deficits that reduced development of the leaf canopy before tasseling, These phenomena are not well accounted for in the current version of the model although we plan to release an improved version of Hybrid-Maize later this year that addresses these deficiencies.

Likewise, for irrigated systems that had trouble keeping up with meeting crop water demand, or where there were uneven plant stands or lodging, the model does not "see" these constraints because it assumes no limitations other than temperature and solar radiation for irrigated production, and temperature, solar radiation, and rainfall for dryland production.

To evaluate the impact on potential production at 12 sites across the Corn Belt (Figure 1), we used the Hybrid-Maize model (http://hybridmaize.unl.edu) to estimate end-of-season yield potential based on actual weather data during the 2012 crop season. Simulations were run for dryland corn in Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota, and for both irrigated and dryland corn in Nebraska. Simulations were based on the typical planting date, hybrid relative maturity, plant population, and soil properties at each location. Underpinning data used in these simulations are provided in Table 1.

Findings

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The crop reached black layer at all locations during the past two weeks. Therefore, September 10 projections give final estimates of yield potential for dryland and irrigated corn for the 2012 crop season.

  • Predicted yield potential is below the long-term average at all sites, under both irrigated and dryland conditions (Table 1).
  • For dryland corn, there is a modest yield loss (6-18%) for the locations in South Dakota (Brookings) and west central and north central Illinois (Monmouth and DeKalb) while a moderate yield loss of 22-30% is predicted for dryland corn in central and northeast Iowa (Gilbert and Nashua).
  • Severe yield loss of 32-67% is projected for dryland corn in south central, eastern, and northeast Nebraska (Clay Center, Mead, and Concord), northwest Iowa (Sutherland), and south central Illinois (Bondville) (Table 1).
  • In contrast to the large loss of yield potential in these dryland systems, projected losses in yield potential at all irrigated sites are modest at 3-5% in south central Nebraska (Clay Center, Holdrege), and 7-8% in east and northeast Nebraska (Mead, O'Neill, Concord) (Table 1).

The bottom line is that 2012 irrigated yields will be moderately lower than the long-term averages (3-8% below normal), while dryland corn yield potential in much of the Corn Belt will be moderately to severely reduced (22-67% below normal). Keep in mind that yields of both dryland and irrigated corn can be even lower at places where:

  1. high temperature stress occurred at pollination,
  2. irrigated systems were unable to keep up with crop water use demand or there were problems with pivot irrigation nozzles and uneven watering,
  3. there were additional stresses from insects and diseases, and
  4. the initial soil moisture profile at planting was below 100%, as assumed in these corn simulations.

Indeed, in many places in Nebraska soil moisture at planting was below full recharge due to a drier than normal winter-spring season. In these areas dryland yields would be reduced below the estimates in Table 1.

Patricio Grassini, Research Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Jenny Rees, UNL Extension Educator
Haishun Yang, Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Kenneth Cassman, Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture Department


 

Table 1.  2012 In-season yield potential forecasts as of September 10  using UNL Hybrid-Maize Model
Location, State Water Regime Soil Type &
Initial Water
Plant
Pop.
(ac-1)
Relative
Maturity
(days)
Planting Date Long-term
Yp
(bu/ac)
2012 Predicted
Yp (bu/ac)
% Yield Change*

 Holdrege, NE

Irrigated Silt loam 32.4k 113  April 27  248     236     – 5%   
Clay Center, NE Irrigated
Rainfed
Silt clay loam
100% ASW
32.4k
24.0k
113 April 23
April 23
 250    
  146    
242   
100   
 – 3%   
– 32%   
Mead, NE Irrigated
Rainfed
Silt clay loam
100% ASW
32.4k
28.0k
113  April 30  240    
  160    
224   
53   
– 7%   
– 67%
   
Concord, NE Irrigated
Rainfed
Silt loam
100% ASW
32.4k
29.0k
104 May 3 235    
154    
218   
90   
– 7%   
– 42%
  
O'Neill, NE Irrigated Sandy loam
100% ASW
32.4k 106  May 3 225     207    – 8%   

Brookings, SD Rainfed Silt clay loam
100% ASW
30.0k 98  May 4 120     98    – 18%   

Sutherland, IA Rainfed Silt clay loam
100% ASW
31.4k 99  May 1 168     101    – 40%   
Gilbert, IA Rainfed Loam
100% ASW
32.4k  110  April 26 200     139    – 30%   
Nashua, IA Rainfed Loam
100% ASW
32.4k 99  May 1 198     155    – 22%   

Monmouth, IL Rainfed Silt loam
100% ASW
32.4k 112  April 27 212     187    – 12%   
DeKalb, IL Rainfed Silt clay loam
100% ASW
32.4k 111  May 1 201     188    – 6%   
Bondville, IL Rainfed Silt clay loam
100% ASW
32.4k 114  April 20 197     131    – 33%   

  Simulations based on dominant soil series, average planting date, and plant population (PP) and relative maturity (RM) of most widespread hybrid at each location (Grassini et al., 2009).
Average (20+ years) simulated yield potential (Yp).
* Yield reduction (in %) compared with the long-term average yield potential (Yp)

 

 

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