Long-term analysis from a cropping system perspective - Yield stability, environmental adaptability, and production risk of winter barley

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Macholdt, J., Styczen M. E., Macdonald, A. J., Piepho, H-P. and Honermeier, B. 2020. Long-term analysis from a cropping system perspective - Yield stability, environmental adaptability, and production risk of winter barley . European Journal of Agronomy. 117, p. 126056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2020.126056

AuthorsMacholdt, J., Styczen M. E., Macdonald, A. J., Piepho, H-P. and Honermeier, B.
Abstract

In the face of climate change, the potential impacts of adverse weather conditions on the productivity and vulnerability of cropping systems (CS) worldwide constitute a key agronomic issue upon which global food security depends. To date, little information regarding how the diversity of CS or agricultural practices affect the long-term yield responses of winter barley is available. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CS diversity in terms of cropping sequences, organic matter supplies, and nitrogen (N) fertilization on the yield vulnerability of winter barley. Yields were evaluated in terms of their stability, environmental adaptability, and production risk(probability of yield loss.Data from a 27-year experiment were statistically analysed using three mixed models giving residual maximum likelihood estimates including the Shukla stability variance index, the Finlay-Wilkinson environmental regression, and the Eskridge risk assessment approach. The results showed that winter barley grown in cropping sequences dominated by cereals had lower yield stability and environmental adaptability and greater production risks compared with winter barley grown in CS with higher crop diversity and additional organic matter inputs. When barley yields were compared at three doses of mineral N, the highest yield stability was achieved with the medium N dose (70kg N ha−1),followed by the higher level of N(140kgN ha−1). The most unstable yields with the highest production risks were observed when barley was grown without any mineral N fertilization. Overall, a higher level of crop diversity with organic matter inputs and intermediate N fertilization resulted in lower yield vulnerability in winter barley.

KeywordsCropping sequence ; Green manure; Nitrogen fertilizer; Oilseed rape ; Pea; Straw
Year of Publication2020
JournalEuropean Journal of Agronomy
Journal citation117, p. 126056
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2020.126056
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
DFG
Funder project or codeThe Rothamsted Long Term Experiments [2017-2022]
MA 7094/1-1
PI 377/20-1
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online28 Apr 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted24 Mar 2020
PublisherElsevier Science Bv
ISSN1161-0301

Permalink - https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/97x56/long-term-analysis-from-a-cropping-system-perspective-yield-stability-environmental-adaptability-and-production-risk-of-winter-barley

Restricted files

Publisher's version

Under embargo indefinitely

265 total views
1 total downloads
0 views this month
0 downloads this month