Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Romulo P. Lollato / Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) water limited yield potential in Kansas averages 5.2 Mg ha⁻¹; however, state-level yields rarely surpassed 3.4 Mg ha⁻¹. Our objective was to quantify the contribution of individual management practices to reduce wheat yield gaps (YG) economically. An incomplete factorial treatment structure established in a randomized complete block design with six replications was used to evaluate 14 treatments during two years in Manhattan, Belleville, and Hutchinson Kansas. Sites were combined based on tillage practice, growing region in Kansas, and disease pressure. Thus, Manhattan had low disease pressure, was no-tilled, and in eastern Kansas for 2015-16 and 2016-17 (two site years). Meanwhile, Belleville and Hutchinson had high disease pressure, were conventionally tilled, and in central Kansas for 2015-16 and 2016-17 (four site years). We individually added six treatments to a farmer’s practice control (FP) or removed from a water-limited yield control (Y[subscript]w), which received all treatments. Practices were additional split-nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), increased plant population, foliar fungicide, and plant growth regulator (PGR). Percent YG was calculated by block and site-year using the Y[subscript]w as reference for potential yield. Orthogonal contrasts indicated yield under no-till which had low disease pressure increased from the FP by the full Y[subscript]w (+0.37 Mg ha⁻¹), but also by the individual practices split-N (+0.28 Mg ha⁻¹), S (+0.26 Mg ha⁻¹), increased plant population (+0.36 Mg ha⁻¹), and fungicide (+0.18 Mg ha⁻¹). In the conventional till which had high disease pressure, wheat yield was increased by 1.18 Mg ha⁻¹ from the Y[subscript]w and by 1.44 Mg ha⁻¹ from the fungicide. The Y[subscript]w and split-N increased grain protein concentration in no-till and conventional-till on average by 9 g kg-1 and 12 g kg-1, respectively. Across all inputs, orthogonal contrasts indicated that the FP yield gap was 8% in no-till which had low disease pressure. Likewise, the orthogonal contrasts indicated that across individual treatments the YG was reduced by split-N (6%), S (5%), Cl (3%), increased plant population (8%), and fungicide (4%). Meanwhile, orthogonal contrasts indicated that the FP yield gap was 20% across all inputs and across individual inputs reduced to 5% from fungicide under conventional-till which had high disease pressure. Fungicide increased net return (+$106.57 ha⁻¹) under conventional-till which had high disease pressure, and increased plant population under no-till which had low disease pressure (+$36.65 ha⁻¹). While a high-cost input (i.e. fungicide) only economically reduced YG greater than 20%; however, a low-cost input (i.e. increased plant population) economically reduced YG less than 20%.

Le modèle de culture STICS a été adapté pour la culture du riz inondé et la capacité de prédiction du modèle a été évaluée pour la simulation de la biomasse à la récolte et du rendement en grains. La base de données utilisée pour ce travail résulte de la collecte de données au champ sur des parcelles en Camargue (sud-Est de la France) gérées par les agriculteurs. Pour la modélisation, ne disposant que très peu de données d’expérimentation, une procédure originale d’utilisation des données obtenues à la ferme a été développée. Ce travail est composé de trois phases: (i) une analyse de la base de données initiale constituée d’informations sur 472 parcelles, 33 variétés et 11 sols aux propriétés physiques différentes et collectées entre 1984 et 2009 dans toute la Camargue; (ii) la sélection des options et des formalismes pertinents pour la culture du riz, (iii) la préparation du jeu de données pour la modélisation par élimination des parcelles dont les rendements sont limités par des facteurs non pris en compte dans le modèle; (iv) la paramétrisation et la simulation des variables choisies.Les résultats de l’application de STICS au riz sont satisfaisants pour près de 80% des parcelles utilisées pour la base de données de calibration. L’accord entre les simulations et les observations est meilleur lorsque les informations d’entrée du modèle sont complètes. Les simulations de la biomasse et du rendement en grains sont d’une qualité légèrement plus faible pour la base de données de validation que pour la base da calibration. / The crop model STICS was adapted for the flooded rice and model’s prediction ability was evaluated by the simulation of the plant biomass at harvest as well as the grain yield. The dataset used for this purpose was collected from the fields situated in whole Camargue (Southern France) and managed by the farmers. We introduced an original procedure to use the farm data instead of experimentation for modeling. This work was carried out in three phases, (i) analysis of the initial database of 472 fields, 33 different varieties and 11 physically different soils grown in the whole Camargue between 1984 and 2009, (ii) selection of the options of formalisms relevant to the rice crop, (iii) preparation of dataset for modeling by eliminating the fields in which the yields were limited by the factors not taken into account by the model and (iv) parameterization and the simulation of the selected target variables. The results of the application of STICS to rice crop were satisfactory for almost 80% of the fields of calibration data. Particularly, there was a good agreement between simulations and measurements of the situations with complete information regarding to the inputs. The simulation patterns for both the plant biomass and the grain yield of dataset of validation are similar as that of dataset of calibration exhibiting slightly reduced simulation quality. More discrepancies were observed in the simulations made by the model calculated dates of different phenological stages compared to the simulations run by using the observed dates of same stages.

Dentre as espécies florestais, o Eucalyptus é o gênero florestal mais plantado no Brasil, com aproximadamente 7,8 milhões de hectares, tendo grande importância econômica para o país. Desta maneira, é importante um melhor conhecimento e quantificação dos fatores que condicionam e reduzem o crescimento e a produtividade das florestas. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivos: i) adaptar, calibrar e avaliar o Modelo da Zona Agroecológica (MZA-FAO) para a estimação do crescimento e da produtividade de oito clones de eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras; ii) determinar a magnitude e as principais causas das quebras de produtividade (yield gaps) da cultura do eucalipto em diferentes regiões produtoras do estado de Minas Gerais; e iii) avaliar a influência de eventos de El Niño, La Niña e Neutros na produtividade de eucaliptos em diferentes localidades produtoras do Brasil. Foram adaptados e calibrados os coeficientes do MZA-FAO, como a correção para o índice de colheita (Cc), o coeficiente de sensibilidade ao déficit hídrico (ky), as curvas características de índice de área foliar (IAF), crescimento radicular (Zr) e coeficiente de cultura (kc), além da inclusão de funções de penalização da produtividade do eucalipto por ocorrência de eventos de geada (ffrost) e mortalidade por longos períodos de deficiência hídrica (fwd). A inclusão das funções de penalização e a calibração dos coeficientes resultaram em uma melhora significativa no desempenho (acurácia e precisão) do modelo, com a REQM passando de 110 m3 ha-1, na fase inicial de calibração, para 39 m3 ha-1, na fase final de calibração, R2 passando de 0,73 para 0,82 e índice d indo de 0,70 para 0,93. Com relação às quebras de produtividade, a deficiência hídrica foi o principal fator de quebra de produtividade, correspondendo a 77% da quebra total (QT), enquanto que as perdas decorrentes do déficit de manejo corresponderam a 23% da QT. Para avaliar o crescimento do eucalipto em eventos de ENOS, no período de 1983 a 2016, foi considerado o Incremento Corrente Anual (ICA) no período de máximo crescimento, ou seja, no 3° ano de seu ciclo. As produtividades e as perdas de produtividade do eucalipto durante a atuação dos eventos de ENOS mostraram-se amplamente variáveis tanto espacialmente quanto temporalmente, como consequência dos diferentes regimes térmicos e hídricos das regiões produtoras, não sendo observado um padrão claro para a relação ENOS e produtividade do eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras avaliadas. / Among the forest species, the Eucalyptus is the most planted one in Brazil, with approximately 7.8 million hectares, having a huge economic importance for the country. Therefore, a better knowledge and quantification of the factors that affect forests growth and yield is of high important. Based on that, this study had as objectives: i) to adapt, calibrate and evaluate the Agroecological Zone Model (AEZ-FAO) to estimate growth and yield of eight eucalyptus clones in different Brazilian producing regions; ii) to identify the magnitude and major causes of yield gaps of eucalyptus in different producing regions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil; and iii) to identify the influence of El Niño, La Niña and Neutral events on eucalyptus yield in 12 Brazilian producing regions. The model´s coefficients, such as correction for the harvest index (Cc), water deficit sensitivity index (ky), leaf area index curve (LAI), root growth curve (Zr) and crop coefficient (kc), were calibrated. Penalization functions for considering the occurrence of frost events (ffrost) and mortality by long periods of accumulated water deficit (fwd) were also included in the model. The calibration and adaptation of the model resulted in a significant improvement of its performance (accuracy and precision), for both calibration and evaluation phases. The RMSE was 110 m3 ha-1 in the initial phase of calibration while in the final phase, RMSE was reduced to 39 m3 ha-1, the R2 was increase from 0.73 to 0.82, and the agreement index (d) was also improved going from 0.70 to 0.93. In relation to the yield gaps, the water deficit was the main factor of yield reduction, corresponding to 77% of the total yield gap (YGT), while losses due to sub-optimum management corresponded to 23% of YGT. In order to evaluate the eucalyptus growth under different ENSO events, from 1983 to 2016, the Current Annual Increment (CAI) in the period of maximum growth, 3rd year of the cycle, was used. The eucalyptus yield and yield gap during the ENSO events were widely variable both spatially and temporally as a consequence of the different thermal and water regimes of the producing regions. It was not possible to identify a clear pattern thee relationship between ENSO and eucalyptus yield in the different Brazilian regions assessed.

Dentre as espécies florestais, o Eucalyptus é o gênero florestal mais plantado no Brasil, com aproximadamente 7,8 milhões de hectares, tendo grande importância econômica para o país. Desta maneira, é importante um melhor conhecimento e quantificação dos fatores que condicionam e reduzem o crescimento e a produtividade das florestas. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivos: i) adaptar, calibrar e avaliar o Modelo da Zona Agroecológica (MZA-FAO) para a estimação do crescimento e da produtividade de oito clones de eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras; ii) determinar a magnitude e as principais causas das quebras de produtividade (yield gaps) da cultura do eucalipto em diferentes regiões produtoras do estado de Minas Gerais; e iii) avaliar a influência de eventos de El Niño, La Niña e Neutros na produtividade de eucaliptos em diferentes localidades produtoras do Brasil. Foram adaptados e calibrados os coeficientes do MZA-FAO, como a correção para o índice de colheita (Cc), o coeficiente de sensibilidade ao déficit hídrico (ky), as curvas características de índice de área foliar (IAF), crescimento radicular (Zr) e coeficiente de cultura (kc), além da inclusão de funções de penalização da produtividade do eucalipto por ocorrência de eventos de geada (ffrost) e mortalidade por longos períodos de deficiência hídrica (fwd). A inclusão das funções de penalização e a calibração dos coeficientes resultaram em uma melhora significativa no desempenho (acurácia e precisão) do modelo, com a REQM passando de 110 m3 ha-1, na fase inicial de calibração, para 39 m3 ha-1, na fase final de calibração, R2 passando de 0,73 para 0,82 e índice d indo de 0,70 para 0,93. Com relação às quebras de produtividade, a deficiência hídrica foi o principal fator de quebra de produtividade, correspondendo a 77% da quebra total (QT), enquanto que as perdas decorrentes do déficit de manejo corresponderam a 23% da QT. Para avaliar o crescimento do eucalipto em eventos de ENOS, no período de 1983 a 2016, foi considerado o Incremento Corrente Anual (ICA) no período de máximo crescimento, ou seja, no 3° ano de seu ciclo. As produtividades e as perdas de produtividade do eucalipto durante a atuação dos eventos de ENOS mostraram-se amplamente variáveis tanto espacialmente quanto temporalmente, como consequência dos diferentes regimes térmicos e hídricos das regiões produtoras, não sendo observado um padrão claro para a relação ENOS e produtividade do eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras avaliadas. / Among the forest species, the Eucalyptus is the most planted one in Brazil, with approximately 7.8 million hectares, having a huge economic importance for the country. Therefore, a better knowledge and quantification of the factors that affect forests growth and yield is of high important. Based on that, this study had as objectives: i) to adapt, calibrate and evaluate the Agroecological Zone Model (AEZ-FAO) to estimate growth and yield of eight eucalyptus clones in different Brazilian producing regions; ii) to identify the magnitude and major causes of yield gaps of eucalyptus in different producing regions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil; and iii) to identify the influence of El Niño, La Niña and Neutral events on eucalyptus yield in 12 Brazilian producing regions. The model´s coefficients, such as correction for the harvest index (Cc), water deficit sensitivity index (ky), leaf area index curve (LAI), root growth curve (Zr) and crop coefficient (kc), were calibrated. Penalization functions for considering the occurrence of frost events (ffrost) and mortality by long periods of accumulated water deficit (fwd) were also included in the model. The calibration and adaptation of the model resulted in a significant improvement of its performance (accuracy and precision), for both calibration and evaluation phases. The RMSE was 110 m3 ha-1 in the initial phase of calibration while in the final phase, RMSE was reduced to 39 m3 ha-1, the R2 was increase from 0.73 to 0.82, and the agreement index (d) was also improved going from 0.70 to 0.93. In relation to the yield gaps, the water deficit was the main factor of yield reduction, corresponding to 77% of the total yield gap (YGT), while losses due to sub-optimum management corresponded to 23% of YGT. In order to evaluate the eucalyptus growth under different ENSO events, from 1983 to 2016, the Current Annual Increment (CAI) in the period of maximum growth, 3rd year of the cycle, was used. The eucalyptus yield and yield gap during the ENSO events were widely variable both spatially and temporally as a consequence of the different thermal and water regimes of the producing regions. It was not possible to identify a clear pattern thee relationship between ENSO and eucalyptus yield in the different Brazilian regions assessed.

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Die vorrangige Zielstellung dieser Dissertation war die Berechnung nicht erschlossener landwirtschaftlicher Potenziale des Europäischen Russlands. Wir haben ein räumliches Allokationsmodell entwickelt, dass die jährlichen Acker- und Ackerbrachflächen von 1991 bis 2009 kartiert. Diese Daten haben wir anschließend in ein dynamisches Vegetationsmodell integriert und damit berechnet, dass während der postsowjetischen Aufgabe von 31 Millionen Hektar Ackerland bis 2009 470 TgC in Boden und Vegetation gebunden wurden. Anschließend haben wir ein Pflanzenwachstumsmodell auf regionale Weizenerträge kalibriert und darauf basierend durchschnittliche Ertragslücken von 1.51-2.10 t ha−1 für natürliche (künstlich unbewässerte) und 3.14-3.30 t ha−1 für künstlich bewässerte Anbaubedingungen ermittelt. Die Karte der Ackerbrachflächen, räumlich-explizite Informationen über die Kohlenstoffspeicherung in Boden und Vegetation infolge der Ackerflächenaufgabe sowie unsere Ergebnisse der Ertragslückenberechnung haben wir zur Berechnung von Weizenproduktionspotenzialen verwendet. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Europäische Russland erhebliche Potenziale mobilisieren kann – bis zu 32 Millionen Tonnen für künstlich unbewässerte Bedingungen – obwohl ausschließlich jüngere Ackerbrachen zur Rekultivierung in unserem Modell berücksichtigt wurden. Ältere Brachflächen haben häufig große Mengen Kohlenstoff in Boden und Vegetation gespeichert; die Rekultivierung ältere Brachflächen würde zu hohen Emissionen führen. Eine wesentliche Schlussfolgerung dieser Dissertation ist daher, dass Produktionssteigerungen vorrangig durch Flächenintensivierung der bestehenden Ackerflächen erzielt werden sollten. Allerdings können die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit helfen, Brachen für die Rekultivierung zu bestimmen, deren Rekultivierung relativ geringe Kohlenstoffemissionen nach sich ziehten. Zudem können die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit nützlich sein, landwirtschaftliche Produktionsmittel effizienter einzusetzen. / This dissertation addresses the primary objective to systematically quantify untapped agricultural potentials in European Russia, where widespread abandoned agricultural lands and large yield gaps co-exist. We developed a spatial allocation model to produce annual cropland and cropland abandonment maps. Feeding the new maps into a dynamic vegetation model revealed that 470 Tg of carbon was sequestered in soil and vegetation due to the abandonment of 31 million hectares of cropland. Thus, the environmental consequences limit the potential for cropland expansion to abandoned cropland. We then calibrated a crop growth model for provincial wheat yields in European Russia and found average yield gaps of 1.51–2.10 t ha−1 under rainfed conditions and 3.14–3.30 t ha−1 under irrigated conditions. The cropland abandonment maps, spatial information on carbon sequestration due to cropland abandonment, and the estimates of yield gaps allowed us to estimate the potential of European Russia to increase its wheat production and to account for the carbon tradeoffs of cropland expansion. We demonstrated that European Russia can substantially increase its wheat production (up to 32 Mt under rainfed conditions). This increase is despite a limited expansion of wheat cultivation to the recently abandoned cropland to reduce the trade-off from the high carbon emissions in re-cultivating older, abandoned cropland where most carbon is stored. Therefore, intensification of the existing croplands is recommended to be the major driver for future growth in agricultural production. This dissertation can help policy makers and agribusiness owners identify areas suitable for cropland expansion, better target agricultural inputs and infrastructures, as well as guide adaptation strategies to the volatile climate conditions. Moreover, this dissertation contributes to better identifying and balancing trade-offs between environmental impacts and increasing agricultural production in European Russia.