Wheat production and grower practices in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico
Wheat yields in the Yaqui Valley of NW Mexico have appeared to remain stable in the past decade despite the release of new varieties and improved agronomic recommendations. A study was conducted during the winter of 1990/91 among a sample of growers to determine if there were any common agronomic or economic factors that would limit yields in the valley. Four socio-economic surveys had been conducted in 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1989, and were augmented in the 1990/91 survey with extensive agronomic data. A sub-sample of 52 growers were taken from a pool of growers that had been studied intensively by the CIMMYT Economics section over the past 10 years. Results showed grain yields for the 1990/91 cycle among the sample averaged 4.4 t ha- 1 but ranged from 1.7 to 6.2 t ha-1. Data collected during 1990/91 revealed there were only a few factors limiting yields that were common to most of the growers. Those factors included: inadequate ground cover throughout the growing season, the resulting increase in weeds, and less spikes m-2 among other yield components which were affected by poor ground cover. Soil and plant nitrogen levels indicated the presence of nitrogen deficiencies despite the high levels of nitrogen fertilizer applied in the valley. Soil and plant levels of phosphorus also indicated the presence of phosphorus deficiencies, although only plant phosphorus levels were related to yields. Nematodes correlated and contributed to a model with yield but represented only a few fields which had populations sufficient to affect yields.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Research Report biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
CIMMYT
1992
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| Subjects: | AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, WHEAT, YIELD FACTORS, NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES, SPACING, WEED COMPETITION, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10883/1169 |
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