APSIM-based modeling approach to understand sorghum production environments in Mali

Diancoumba, M and Kholova, J and Adam, M and Famanta, M and Traore, P C S and Weltzien, E and Vacksmann, M and McLean, G and Hammer, G L and Oosterom, E J Van and Vadez, V (2024) APSIM-based modeling approach to understand sorghum production environments in Mali. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 44. pp. 1-16. ISSN 1774-0746

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Abstract

Sorghum production system in the semi-arid region of Africa is characterized by low yields which are generally attributed to high rainfall variability, poor soil fertility, and biotic factors. Production constraints must be well understood and quantified to design effective sorghum-system improvements. This study uses the state-of-the-art in silico methods and focuses on characterizing the sorghum production regions in Mali for drought occurrence and its effects on sorghum productivity. For this purpose, we adapted the APSIM-sorghum module to reproduce two cultivated photoperiod-sensitive sorghum types across a latitude of major sorghum production regions in Western Africa. We used the simulation outputs to characterize drought stress scenarios. We identified three main drought scenarios: (i) no-stress; (ii) early pre-flowering drought stress; and (iii) drought stress onset around flowering. The frequency of drought stress scenarios experienced by the two sorghum types across rainfall zones and soil types differed. As expected, the early pre-flowering and flowering drought stress occurred more frequently in isohyets < 600 mm, for the photoperiod-sensitive, late-flowering sorghum type. In isohyets above 600 mm, the frequency of drought stress was very low for both cultivars. We quantified the consequences of these drought scenarios on grain and biomass productivity. The yields of the highly-photoperiod-sensitive sorghum type were quite stable across the higher rainfall zones > 600 mm, but was affected by the drought stress in the lower rainfall zones < 600 mm. Comparatively, the less photoperiod-sensitive cultivar had notable yield gain in the driest regions < 600 mm. The results suggest that, at least for the tested crop types, drought stress might not be the major constraint to sorghum production in isohyets > 600 mm. The findings from this study provide the entry point for further quantitative testing of the Genotype × Environment × Management options required to optimize sorghum production in Mali.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement Research Program : West & Central Africa
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	GxE interaction, Crop model, Water deficit scenarios, Photoperiod, CSM335, CSM63E
Subjects:	Others > Crop Modelling Others > Crop Physiology Mandate crops > Sorghum Others > Mali
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	04 Aug 2025 05:04
Last Modified:	04 Aug 2025 05:04
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13258
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13593-0...
Projects:	Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Climate Resilient Sorghum, Sorghum Genomic Toolbox
Funders:	Australian Centre of International Agricultural Research, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC)
Acknowledgement:	We thank the APSIM initiative for providing free quality assurance and a structured innovation program for the APSIM modeling software for research and development use (see www.apsim.info for details).
Links:	Google Scholar

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