Global Maize Project in Argentina: Balcarce, Buenos Aires

A long-term field experiment was established at Balcarce, Buenos Aires, in the 2009/10 growing season. The crop rotation is maize-wheat/doublecropped soybean, with both crop phases occurring each year. Soil samples were collected during site establishment to characterize initial conditions, especially soil carbon content in the whole soil profile. Treatments include current farmer practice (FP) and Ecological Intensification practice (EI). Treatments differed by either cultivar, planting date, pest and weed control, or nutrient management practices.

Wheat crops in the 2009/10 season developed under a lack of precipitation, which adversely affected crop development and tillering. Wheat yields were 4,129 kg/ha for FP and 4,497 kg/ha for EI, with significant differences between treatments (+9%). The climatic conditions improved during the summer cropping season. Maize yields were of 10,850 kg/ha, and 12,830 kg/ha for the FP and EI treatments, respectively, a significant difference of 18%. Doublecropped soybean was planted immediately after the wheat harvest in January, and equivalent yields of 2,521 kg/ha and 2,479 kg/ha were obtained under the FP and EI treatments, respectively.

Emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and CO₂ are being measured in the maize plots in the 2010/11 growing season. A proposal has been presented to the Ministry of Science and Technology of Argentina to fund determinations of nitrate and herbicide leaching. IPNI-24