Developing Management Options for Optimising Water and Nitrogen Utilisation for Maize Production in Malawi
Abstract
172 words
Nitrogen (N) is the most important determinant of plant growth
and crop yield. Plants lacking N show stunted growth and
yellowish leaves. Plant growth and crop yield usually increase
when N is added. However, too much N lead to weak stems in
grain crops, reduce fruit quality, lower sugar content in sugar
beets, accumulation of nitrate in the edible foliage of plants,
and can contaminate groundwater. The crop production and
environmental challenges associated with low and excess N
prompt a need to generate knowledge of optimum amounts of
N that can give desirable crop yields while avoiding excess N-
induced problems. Owing to the complexity of soil, models can
be used to infer N characteristics in soil and ascertain its
disposition pattern within plant rooting zones. The aim of this
study is to develop, calibrate and verify a model that will establish
the disposition pattern of applied nitrogen in the rooting zones
of cereal crops in relation to applied water so to maximize its
uptake by plants roots and minimize leaching losses.
Subjects
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