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Site-specific land management practice taking into account variability in maize yield gaps (the difference between yields in the 90th percentiles and other yields on smallholder farmers’ fields) could improve resource use efficiency and enhance yields. However, the applicability of the practice is constrained by inability to identify patterns of resource utilization to target application of resources to more responsive fields. The study focus was to map yield gaps on smallholder fields based on identified spatial arrangements differentiated by distance from the smallholder homestead and understand field-specific utilization of production factors. This was aimed at understanding field variability based on yield gap mapping patterns in order to enhance resource use efficiency on smallholder farms. The study was done in two villages, Mukuyu and Shikomoli, with high and low agroecology regarding soil fertility in Western Kenya. Identification of spatial arrangements at 40 m, 80 m, 150 m and 300 m distance from the homestead on smallholder farms for 70 households was done. The spatial arrangements were then classified into near house, mid farm and far farm basing on distance from the homestead. For each spatial arrangement, Landsat sensors acquired via satellite imagery were processed to generate yield gap maps. The focal statistics analysis method using the neighborhoods function was then applied to generate yield gap maps at the different spatial arrangements identified above. Socio-economic, management and biophysical factors were determined, and maize yields estimated at each spatial arrangement. Heterogeneous patterns of high, average and low yield gaps were found in spatial arrangements at the 40 m and 80 m distances. Nearly homogenous patterns tending towards median yield gap values were found in spatial arrangements that were located at the 150 m and 300 m. These patterns correspondingly depicted field-specific utilization of management and socio-economic factors. Field level management practices and socio-economic factors such as application of inorganic fertilizer, high frequency of weed control, early land preparation, high proportion of hired and family labor use and allocation of large land sizes were utilized in spatial arrangements at 150 and 300 m distances. High proportions of organic fertilizer and family labor use were utilized in spatial arrangements at 40 and 80 m distances. The findings thus show that smallholder farmers preferentially manage the application of socio-economic and management factors in spatial arrangements further from the homestead compared to fields closer to the homestead which could be exacerbating maize yield gaps. Delineating management zones based on yield gap patterns at the different spatial arrangements on smallholder farms could contribute to site-specific land management and enhance yields. Investigating the value smallholder farmers attach to each spatial arrangement is further needed to enhance the spatial understanding of yield gap variation on smallholder farms.

There is limited information regarding the grain sorghum production trends from early in the millennium towards the 2020s. The main objective of this study was to quantify the grain sorghum production area, economic value, productivity, annual production variation, relationship with changing weather patterns, and yield gap and to identify future areas of intervention and research. The results indicated that the grain sorghum production area in Kansas has increased in the most recent decade (2010–2022) at an average rate of 8 thousand ha year−1. With the current 1.2 million ha harvest area, Kansas continues to allocate more land area for sorghum than any other state in the USA. The average current annual economic value of sorghum in Kansas is USD 0.5 billion. The average sorghum grain productivity for recent years (2000–2022) was 4.3 Mg ha−1 in Kansas. The year-to-year yield variation in the grain sorghum average for Kansas in the years 1929–1956 was ±0.5 Mg ha−1 but increased to ±2 Mg ha−1 for the years 1957–2022. The results also showed a 66 to 96% yield gap between the actual yield (USDA data) and potential non-irrigated yield (Kansas State Grain Sorghum Hybrid Performance Trial data). There was a significant positive correlation between the July–August precipitation and a significant negative correlation between air temperatures and sorghum yield. We conclude that there was an increasing sorghum harvest area trend in Kansas for the years 2010 to 2022. Further research that identifies more unique and important agronomic and economic advantages of sorghum, increasing productivity per unit area across different environments, communicating existing benefits, and developing crop production management best practices are essential to sustain gains in the production area.

Sustainable development requires modifying the current consumption pattern of natural resources. This study investigates efficient tactics for reducing the unsustainability and inefficiency of human’s food-related blue water consumption alongside improving national environmental and socioeconomic status. As a case study for Iran, 15 alternative management scenarios (AMS) were defined compared to the current on-farm management, and their effects were assessed on a monthly scale. Based on the results, 45.5 billion m³ y⁻¹ (BCM) blue water is consumed within the croplands, 78% and 34% of which are unsustainable and inefficient, respectively. AMCs reduces the unsustainable and inefficient blue water consumption by 2–17 BCM and 2–13 BCM, respectively. The combination of yield gap closure, drip irrigation, soil mulching, and deficit irrigation has the largest effect on blue water saving; it releases or changes the status of monthly blue water scarcity in 11 provinces; increases field-employees by 132%, food security by 9%, international food-export by 87%, and gross domestic production by 54%. However, it doesn’t fully address blue water overconsumption in the summer period; hence, further measures are needed to reduce blue water scarcity to the sustainable level in these environmental hotspots.

Extreme weather events have led to widespread yield losses and significant global economic damage in recent decades. African agriculture is particularly vulnerable due to its harsh environments and limited adaptation capacity. This systematic review analyzes 96 articles from Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, focusing on biophysical studies related to maize in Africa and worldwide. We investigated the observed and projected extreme weather events in Africa, their impacts on maize production, and the approaches used to assess these effects. Our analysis reveals that drought, heatwaves, and floods are major threats to African maize production, impacting yields, suitable cultivation areas, and farmers’ livelihoods. While studies have employed various methods, including field experiments, statistical models, and process-based modeling, African research is often limited by data gaps and technological constraints. We identify three main gaps: (i) lack of reliable long-term experimental and empirical data, (ii) limited access to advanced climate change adaptation technologies, and (iii) insufficient knowledge about specific extreme weather patterns and their interactions with management regimes. This review highlights the urgent need for targeted research in Africa to improve understanding of extreme weather impacts and formulate effective adaptation strategies. We advocate for focused research on data collection, technology transfer, and integration of local knowledge with new technologies to bolster maize resilience and food security in Africa.

A successful synthesis and characterization of L -Phenylalanine cadmium bromide (C 9 H 11 NO 2 CdBr 2 ) has been accomplished. There were several characterizations carried out on the crystal. An X-ray diffraction pattern for a single crystal provides information concerning its lattice parameters a  = 10.164 Å, b  = 5.62 Å, c  = 12.09 Å, β  = 109.115°, and space group P2 1 . UV–Vis analysis determined the lower cut-off wavelength 242 nm and the optical transmission window. It has a high transparency of 80 to 90%, and its high energy gap (5.12 eV) makes, it an ideal material for optoelectronics. It was confirmed that the compound had functional groups using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Crystals were analyzed in the frequency range of 50 Hz–200 kHz for ambient temperature dielectric response. Fluorescence spectral analysis of LPCB luminescence behavior was carried out. As-grown crystals were subjected to SEM analysis to determine their surface morphology. The chemical composition of the crystal was determined via energy-dispersive X-ray imaging. To calculate the physical properties of LPCB, microhardness testing was conducted these parameters include elastic stiffness constant, fracture toughness, brittleness index, and Vicker’s microhardness. A Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser beam measured crystal damage threshold activity. Kurtz-Perry powder efficiency measurements were conducted to determine 1.5 times higher than that of KDP and whether this material suits NLO applications. The Z-Scan method was used to investigate an encouraging third-order nonlinear property. Using a Nd: YAG laser with a wavelength of 532 nm, the nonlinear absorption coefficient was found to be 0.65 × 10 –10  m/W, and the optical limiting threshold fluence was found to be 2.42 × 10 12 W/m 2 . LPCB is an attractive candidate for optical limiting devices because of these findings.

Potato response to environment, planting date and genotype was studied for different agro-ecological zones in Lesotho. Field experiments were conducted at four different sites with altitudes ranging from 1,655 to 2,250 m above sea level during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 summer growing seasons. Treatments consisted of three cultivars that varied in maturity type, two planting dates and four sites differing in altitude and weather patterns. Various plant parts were measured periodically. To understand and quantify the influence of abiotic factors that determine and limit yields, the LINTUL crop growth model was employed which simulated potential yields for the different agro-ecological zones using weather data collected per site during the study period. Observed actual crop yields were compared with model simulations to determine the yield gap. Model simulations helped to improve our understanding of yield limitations to further expand potato production in subtropical highlands, with emphasis on increasing production through increased yields rather than increased area. Substantial variation in yield between planting date, cultivar and site were observed. Average tuber dry matter (DM) yields for the highest yielding season were above 7.5 t DM ha−1 or over 37.5 t ha−1 fresh tuber yield. The lowest yield obtained was 2.39 t DM ha−1 or 12 t ha−1 fresh tuber yield for cultivar Vanderplank in the 2011/2012 growing season at the site with the lowest altitude. Modelled potential tuber yields were 9–14 t DM ha−1 or 45–70 t ha−1 fresh yield. Drought stress frequently resulted in lower radiation use efficiencies and to a lesser degree harvest indices, which reduced tuber yield. The site with the lowest altitude and highest temperatures had the lowest yields, while the site with the highest altitude had the highest yields. Later maturing cultivars yielded more than earlier maturing ones at all sites. It is concluded that the risk of low yields in rain-fed subtropical highlands can be minimised by planting late cultivars at the highest areas possible as early as the risks of late frosts permit.

A study was conducted to find out the yield gap, adoption pattern, determinants of adoption and constraints in adoption of soybean production technologies. The primary data was collected from 30 farmers selected on the basis of yield levels, as high, moderate and low in the Northern Hill Region agro-climatic zone of Madhya Pradesh. The study revealed that at overall yield level gap-I, II, and III were found to be 47.51%, 18.52 and 59.22%, respectively. More than 90% of respondents were not adopting land levelling, irrigation management, plant protection measures, seed treatment, and nutrient management due to various constraints such as lack of capital, high cost, lack of knowledge etc. Multiple regression analysis showed positive and significant impact of education on adoption of soybean production technologies. The model fitted was found to be bets fit with R2 60%.