Open AccessGrowth and development models for West Timor maize landraces
Author(s) -
Evert Y. Hosang,
. Syamsuddin,
Jeremy P. W. Wish
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/484/1/012124
Subject(s) - sowing , crop , yield (engineering) , agronomy , agriculture , zea mays , biology , agricultural science , geography , agroforestry , ecology , materials science , metallurgy
The adoption of hybrid maize and OPV’s in the ENT provinces was still under 45% and the use of maize landraces was above 55% The reasons farmers keep using their own traditional local maize remain unclear, but it is assumed that good adaptation to the local conditions and tolerance against maize weevils are the primary reasons. Modelling of a crop like maize (APSIM MODEL) can be used to predict the yield potential of the crop in an area based on the resources available within any particular season. Comparisons of simulated vs observed yields helps identify constraints and develop strategies to reduce the production risk Field planting of maize landraces and an improved variety was conducted at the research station of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (BPTP NTT) in Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia. There were three West Timor maize landrace used in this field trial; they were white maize landrace A, B and C and Piet kuning variety It can be concluded that APSIM can be used to predict west Timor landraces growth with different rate of fertiliser. The model predicted that the grain yield of the landraces can be increased by synchronising the flowering time and applying N fertiliser. The addition of 100kg/ha of N is the optimum N fertilizer for maize farming systems in West Timor region because it will significantly increase the yields and maintain yields over time compared to the current practice of not applying N (the 0 application of N). If the cost of 100kg/ha N prohibits farmers from doing this then micro-dose and legume-maize integrated farming system approaches are alternative strategies to increase maize production in this region. The grain yield of West Timor maize landraces could be increased significantly by applying 100kg/ha of Urea. It is important to manage N fertilizer for both financial and environmental reasons.