Publication date: December 2015
Source:Geoderma, Volumes 259–260
Author(s): Antonello Bonfante , Johan Bouma
Climate change and the development of new plant hybrids raise questions about future agricultural land use potentials that cannot be answered by expert knowledge based on past experience. This case study for maize cultivation in the Destra Sele region in southern Italy applied therefore the SWAP (Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant) simulation model to explore the effects of limited water availability under future climate conditions on growth of eleven maize hybrids. Five selected soil series were analyzed. Compared with optimal water availability by irrigation, results were significantly different for 80% and 60% water availability with respect to different hybrids and soil series. The soil series are distinguished by stable criteria, allowing, in principle, their use as “class pedotransfer functions” not only in space but also in time, reflecting effects of climate change by 2050. Presenting alternative land use options by simulations rather than empirical conclusions about limitations or suitabilities is attractive for land evaluation, allowing a pro-active and interactive approach by soil scientists vis-a-vis farmers, hydraulic engineers, crop breeders and policy makers.
Source:Geoderma, Volumes 259–260
Author(s): Antonello Bonfante , Johan Bouma