Improving Soil Fertility Recommendations in Africa using Decision Support for Technology Transfer (DSSAT)

2012

English

Simulation modeling is a robust technique that speeds up our understanding of the interaction of crop, soil, environment and management (CSEM) to attain food security by increasing agricultural productivity. Crop models as a decision support tool can provide management options/decisions under future climate change scenarios by describing complex mechanisms underlying in CSEM. The book describes application of the dynamic model DSSAT to simulate crop and soil processes under various agro-ecological zones of Africa. It shares practical experiences, results and DSSAT application for simulation modelling. The authors explain key steps required to build a simulation with the development of four pillars that include learning by doing, integrated follow-up, continuous support and multilevel training. The authors elaborate what minimum data set is required for simulation and discuss African soils constraints and limitations to productivity along with solutions to cope with the adverse effects of climate change. The sensitivities due to soil, cultivar and environmental parameters have also been outlined in detail with an emphasis on the development of global sensitivity analysis. The responses of DSSAT, CROPGRO and ORYZA2000 have been highlighted in relation to different treatments for the prediction of growth and developmental processes of various crops with a special emphasis on yield forecast in Ghana, Niger, Senegal and Kenya. The authors recommend a shift in paradigm to adopt appropriate technologies for yield sustainability and green revolution in Africa. This book is highly recommended to researchers/scientists and students in the field of agronomy, soil science and other allied disciplines. It will be a worthwhile addition to one’s bookshelf.

Kanton, R. A. L.