Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 7212

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Interests: crop prediction models; high throughput phenotyping; crop warning model

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
Interests: crop science; seed physiology; plant stress physiology; plant physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cultivation management of agricultural crops is greatly influenced by the environment, especially the climate and soil conditions. Among them, the changing climate has a significant impact on crop yields and cultivation methods. Moreover, the stability of the crop yield and cultivation methods in the agricultural cultivation management process are seriously affected by climate changes. Generally, the impact of climate change on agricultural production can be broadly categorized into climate warming, increasing CO2 concentration, frequency of extreme weather, water shortage, etc., which gradually affect the agricultural cultivation process, especially in crop growth patterns, cultivation management systems, agricultural environmental biodiversity, etc.

Therefore, in order to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural cultivation, researchers have conducted research on many aspects, including crop breeding, irrigation management methods, soil improvement, growth period regulation, ecosystem protection, early warning mechanisms for crop pests and diseases, and the utilization of agricultural climate information, etc. Furthermore, predictive and warning mechanisms and models are important research areas for future efforts to combat climate change.

In this Special Issue, we will focus on the predictability of agricultural crop production. By collecting and utilizing various climate and environmental data, phenotypic data, spectral data, crop physiological data, etc., we hope to support the creation of forecast models for crop yield and growth status. The aim of this Special Issue is to assemble a collection of manuscripts that showcase the latest research in the crop models field.

Prof. Dr. Wen-Shin Lin
Dr. Yun Yang Chao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • agronomy
  • crop growth models
  • phenology
  • crop yield
  • climate change
  • prediction model
  • high throughput phenotyping
  • crop warning model

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3031 KiB  
Article
Agroecological Assessment of Arable Lands in the Leningrad Region of Russia under the Influence of Climate Change
by Ekaterina Yu. Chebykina and Evgeny V. Abakumov
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092113 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 443
Abstract
The paper presents an analysis of the influence of climatic characteristics on the rating of land suitability for agricultural use. Soil fertility is one of the most important factors in land productivity and crop capacity; it is a complex value that depends not [...] Read more.
The paper presents an analysis of the influence of climatic characteristics on the rating of land suitability for agricultural use. Soil fertility is one of the most important factors in land productivity and crop capacity; it is a complex value that depends not only on agrophysical and agrochemical soil properties but also on other natural factors, such as climate. There are different methodical approaches for a quantitative assessment of fertility level. The objectives of the research were to understand whether the distributions of active temperature sums and annual precipitation sums have a significant effect on the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the rating assessment of land suitability for agricultural use in the example of the Leningrad region. The estimation and comparison between Semenov–Blagovidov’s method of quality land estimation and Karmanov’s method of appraisal of soils are given in this article. Karmanov’s method is highlighted in this paper for its ability to assess soil’s ecological indices more effectively than traditional methods. The research suggested that climate change may lead to increased variability in soil quality, with potential benefits for agriculture under certain climate scenarios, but at the same time, excessive temperatures in summer and precipitations might become a limiting factor, pushing down yields. The results of such assessment show that the performed calculation models can be used to forecast crop yields for future periods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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17 pages, 2509 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Cover Crop Management in Eastern Nebraska: Insights from Crop Simulation Modeling
by Andualem Shiferaw, Girma Birru, Tsegaye Tadesse, Marty R. Schmer, Tala Awada, Virginia L. Jin, Brian Wardlow, Javed Iqbal, Ariel Freidenreich, Tulsi Kharel, Makki Khorchani, Zelalem Mersha, Sultan Begna and Clement Sohoulande
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1561; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071561 - 18 Jul 2024
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Cover crops (CCs) offer ecosystem benefits, yet their impact on subsequent crop yields varies with climate, soil, and management practices. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Education, and Extension Center (ENREEC), we [...] Read more.
Cover crops (CCs) offer ecosystem benefits, yet their impact on subsequent crop yields varies with climate, soil, and management practices. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Education, and Extension Center (ENREEC), we identified optimal cereal rye management strategies focusing on planting, termination, and the intervals between CC termination and corn planting. Results showed minimal impact of CC management variations on corn yield, underscoring corn’s resilience to management changes. Delayed planting notably decreased CC biomass, nitrogen uptake, and biomass nitrogen content on average by 8.8%, 11%, and 9.2% for every five-day delay from 25 September. Every 5-day increase in the interval between CC termination and corn planting reduced biomass by 19.3%. Conversely, each 5-day delay in CC termination from 10 September to 10 October increased biomass by 30%, enhancing SOC accumulation. SOC changes over the 30-year simulation ranged from 5.8% to 7.7%, peaking with late May terminations. The earliest termination showed the highest nitrogen content in biomass (3.4%), with the lowest (0.69%) in mid-May. Our results demonstrate that strategic CC management supports soil health without negatively impacting corn yield in Eastern Nebraska, providing valuable insights for farmers and practitioners aiming to implement sustainable CC practices while preserving crop productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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23 pages, 8449 KiB  
Article
Climate Change Impacts on Future Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Yield, Growth Periods and Irrigation Requirements: A SALTMED Model Simulations Analysis
by Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary, Hong Li, Ragab Ragab, Md Rakibuzzaman, Azeem Iqbal Khan, Jing Zhao and Nadeem Akbar
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071484 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 946
Abstract
Climate change poses emerging threats to wheat growth in coming future. These threats need to be explored to ensure sustainable wheat production. To do this, the SALTMED model was calibrated using data from experiments conducted on different levels of irrigation and nitrogen doses. [...] Read more.
Climate change poses emerging threats to wheat growth in coming future. These threats need to be explored to ensure sustainable wheat production. To do this, the SALTMED model was calibrated using data from experiments conducted on different levels of irrigation and nitrogen doses. The performance of the SALTMED model was assessed based on values of the root mean square error (RMSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and coefficient of residual mass (CRM) that ranged from 0.23–1.82, 0.09–0.17, 0.91–0.93 and −0.01–0.02, respectively for calibration and 0.31–1.89, 0.11–0.31, 0.87–0.90 and −0.02–0.01, respectively for validation. Projections for future climate scenarios for wheat growth indicated that by the end of the century, sowing dates advanced by nine days under the RCP4.5 scenario and eleven days under the RCP8.5 scenario, while harvesting dates shifted earlier by twenty-four days under RCP4.5 and twenty-eight days under RCP8.5. Consequently, the overall crop duration was shortened by fifteen days under RCP4.5 and eighteen days under RCP8.5. Further simulations revealed that the wheat yield was reduced by 14.2% under RCP4.5 and 21.0% under RCP8.5; the dry matter was reduced by 14.9% under RCP4.5 and 23.3% under RCP8.5; the irrigation amount was expected to increase by 14.9% under RCP4.5 and 18.0% under RCP8.5; and water productivity was expected to be reduced by 25.3% under RCP4.5 and 33.0% under RCP8.5 until the end of century. The hypothetical scenarios showed that adding an extra 20–40% more nitrogen can enhance wheat yield and dry matter by 10.2–23.0% and 11.5–24.6%, respectively, under RCP4.5, and by 12.0–23.4% and 12.9–29.6%, respectively, under RCP8.5. This study offers valuable insights into the effects of climate change on future wheat production so that effective contingency plans could be made by policymakers and adopted by stakeholders for higher wheat productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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22 pages, 24829 KiB  
Article
A Method to Estimate Climate Drivers of Maize Yield Predictability Leveraging Genetic-by-Environment Interactions in the US and Canada
by Parisa Sarzaeim and Francisco Muñoz-Arriola
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040733 - 2 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1084
Abstract
Throughout history, the pursuit of diagnosing and predicting crop yields has evidenced genetics, environment, and management practices intertwined in achieving food security. However, the sensitivity of crop phenotypes and genetic responses to climate still hampers the identification of the underlying abilities of plants [...] Read more.
Throughout history, the pursuit of diagnosing and predicting crop yields has evidenced genetics, environment, and management practices intertwined in achieving food security. However, the sensitivity of crop phenotypes and genetic responses to climate still hampers the identification of the underlying abilities of plants to adapt to climate change. We hypothesize that the PiAnosi and WagNer (PAWN) global sensitivity analysis (GSA) coupled with a genetic by environment (GxE) model built of environmental covariance and genetic markers structures, can evidence the contributions of climate on the predictability of maize yields in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The GSA-GxE framework estimates the relative contribution of climate variables to improving maize yield predictions. Using an enhanced version of the Genomes to Fields initiative database, the GSA-GxE framework shows that the spatially aggregated sensitivity of maize yield predictability is attributed to solar radiation, followed by temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. In one-third of the individually assessed locations, rainfall was the primary responsible for maize yield predictability. Also, a consistent pattern of top sensitivities (Relative Humidity, Solar Radiation, and Temperature) as the main or the second most relevant drivers of maize yield predictability shed some light on the drivers of genetic improvement in response to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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24 pages, 27815 KiB  
Article
Trend Prediction of Vegetation and Drought by Informer Model Based on STL-EMD Decomposition of Ha Cai Tou Dang Water Source Area in the Maowusu Sandland
by Hexiang Zheng, Hongfei Hou, Ruiping Li and Changfu Tong
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040708 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 878
Abstract
To accurately forecast the future development trend of vegetation in dry areas, it is crucial to continuously monitor phenology, vegetation health indices, and vegetation drought indices over an extended period. This is because drought caused by high temperatures significantly affects vegetation. This study [...] Read more.
To accurately forecast the future development trend of vegetation in dry areas, it is crucial to continuously monitor phenology, vegetation health indices, and vegetation drought indices over an extended period. This is because drought caused by high temperatures significantly affects vegetation. This study thoroughly investigated the spatial and temporal variations in phenological characteristics and vegetation health indices in the abdominal part of Maowusu Sandland in China over the past 20 years. Additionally, it established a linear correlation between vegetation health and temperature indices in the arid zone. To address the issue of predicting long-term trends in vegetation drought changes, we have developed a method that combines the Informer deep learning model with seasonal and Seasonal Trend decomposition using Loess (STL) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Additionally, we have utilized the linearly correlated indices of vegetation health and meteorological data spanning 20 years to predict the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI). The study’s findings indicate that over the 20-year observation period, there was an upward trend in NDVI, accompanied by a decrease in both the frequency and severity of droughts. Additionally, the STL-EMD-Informer model successfully predicted the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE = 1.16%) of the future trend in vegetation drought changes for the next decade. This suggests that the overall health of vegetation is expected to continue improving during that time. This work examined the plant growth circumstances in dry locations from several angles and developed a complete analytical method for predicting long-term droughts. The findings provide a strong scientific basis for ecological conservation and vegetation management in arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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17 pages, 16178 KiB  
Article
Soil Dynamics and Crop Yield Modeling Using the MONICA Crop Simulation Model and Time Series Forecasting Methods
by Islombek Mirpulatov, Mikhail Gasanov and Sergey Matveev
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2185; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082185 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Crop simulation models are an important tool for assessing agroecosystem performance and the impact of agrotechnologies on soil cover condition. However, the high uncertainty and labor intensiveness of long-term weather forecasting limits the applicability of such models. A possible solution may be to [...] Read more.
Crop simulation models are an important tool for assessing agroecosystem performance and the impact of agrotechnologies on soil cover condition. However, the high uncertainty and labor intensiveness of long-term weather forecasting limits the applicability of such models. A possible solution may be to use time series forecasting models (SARIMAX and Prophet) and artificial neural-network-based technologies (Neural Prophet). This work compares the applicability of these methods for modeling soil condition dynamics and agroecosystem performance using the MONICA simulation model for Voronic Chernozems in the Kursk region of Russia. The goal is to determine which weather indicators are most important for the yield forecast and to choose the most appropriate methods for forecasting weather scenarios for agricultural modeling. Crop rotation of soybean and sugar beet was simulated, with agricultural techniques and fertilizer usage considered as factors. We demonstrated the high sensitivity of aboveground biomass production and soil moisture dynamics to daily temperature fluctuations and precipitation during the vegetation period. The dynamics of the leaf area index and nitrate content showed less sensitivity to the daily fluctuations of temperature and precipitation. Among the proposed forecasting methods, both SARIMAX and the Neural Prophet algorithm demonstrated the ability to forecast weather to model the dynamics of crop and soil conditions with the highest degree of approximation to actual observations. For the dynamic of the crop yield of soybean, the SARIMAX model exhibited the most favorable coefficient of determination, R2, while for sugar beet, the Neural Prophet model achieved superior R2 levels of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Models for Agricultural Yield Prediction under Climate Change)
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