Global Maize Project in Mexico: Celaya, Guanajuato
This experiment is part of the Global Maize Project that aims at identifying sustainably intensive technological options for maize.
IPNI-2009-MEX-GM28
17 Feb 2010
2009 Annual Interpretive Summary
The corn producing areas of tropical Latin America provide a diverse set of climatic conditions that result in a wide range of yield potentials, and consequently, nutrient requirements. In tropical areas, latitude and altitude have a profound effect on yield. For these reasons, it is necessary to determine yield potential and attainable yield under the best known management practices. It is also necessary to quantify the effect of such management on nutrient use efficiency, particularly N. The study was conducted at Celaya, Guanajuato State, with an altitude 1,830 meters above sea level. The experiment will be in the field for at least 10 years. Treatments in 2009 were: 1) best crop management including all needed nutrients and optimal plant population (with amounts adjusted each year according to past results achieved); 2) farm practice including all changes made by farmers during the study period; 3) treatment 1 without N application; and 4) treatment 1 with N application in 2 of 3 consecutive years.
Best crop management + N and a plant density of 125,000 plants/ha achieved a highest yield of 13.8 t/ha; best crop management - N and 125,000 plants/ha produced 5.8 t/ha; farm practice + N and 90,000 plants/ha produced 12.7 t/ha; and farm practice - N and 90,000 plants/ha produced 4.9 t/ha. Results were influenced by a long drought that affected Mexico throughout 2009. The yield potential using the “Hybrid-Maize” model and NASA weather data was 23 t/ha. IPNI-28