Location: Rangeland Resources & Systems Research
Title: Modeling the effects of crop rotation and tillage on sugarbeet yield and soil nitrate using RZWQM2Author
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ANAR, M - North Dakota State University |
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LIN, Z - North Dakota State University |
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Ma, Liwang |
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CHATTERJEE, A - North Dakota State University |
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YUJA, S - North Dakota State University |
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TEBOH, J - North Dakota State University |
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OSTLIE, E - North Dakota State University |
Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2020 Publication Date: 3/1/2021 Citation: Anar, M.J., Lin, Z., Ma, L., Chatterjee, A., Yuja, S., Teboh, J.M., Ostlie, E. 2021. Modeling the effects of crop rotation and tillage on sugarbeet yield and soil nitrate using RZWQM2. Transactions of the ASABE. 64(2):461-474. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13752. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13752 Interpretive Summary: Sugarbeet has great potential as an alternative to corn for biofuel, but its production is significantly affected by crop rotation and tillage. The ability to simulate these effects will help in making proper management decisions. In this study, the CSM-CERESBeet, CSM-CERES-Maize, CROPSIM-Wheat, and CROPGRO-Soybean models included in the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) were calibrated and evaluated against the experimental field data of crop yield, soil water, and soil nitrate from the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center from 2014 to 2016. The models performed reasonably well in simulating crop yield, soil water, and nitrate. Simulation results also identified wheat as the most favorable previous-year-crop for sugarbeet. Among the tillage operations, moldboard plow performed better compared to other tillage methods in terms of yield production. As sugarbeet production may be expanded into nontraditional planting areas in the Red River Valley due to potential demand for biofuel production, our findings will help to assess the associated environmental impacts and identify suitable crop rotations and management scenarios in the region. Technical Abstract: Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) is considered to be one of the most viable alternatives to corn for biofuel production as it may be qualified as “advanced” biofuel feedstock under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Since its production is significantly affected by crop rotation and tillage, simulation of these effects will help in making proper management decisions. In this study, the CSM-CERESBeet, CSM-CERES-Maize, CROPSIM-Wheat, and CROPGRO-Soybean models included in the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) were calibrated and evaluated against the experimental field data of crop yield, soil water, and soil nitrate from the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center from 2014 to 2016. The models performed reasonably well in simulating crop yield, soil water, and nitrate, with relative root mean squared errors ranging from 0.055 to 2.773, and d-index of agreement between 0.541 and 0.997. Simulation results also identified wheat as the most favorable previous-year-crop for sugarbeet. Among the tillage operations, moldboard plow performed better compared to other tillage methods in terms of yield production. As sugarbeet production may be expanded into nontraditional planting areas in the Red River Valley due to potential demand for biofuel production, our findings will help to assess the associated environmental impacts and identify suitable crop rotations and management scenarios in the region. |