Water management for sugarcane and maize under future climate scenarios: DSSAT /CANEGRO and CERES- MAIZE models application

Author(s)

Luciano Alves de Oliveira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2015-02-06

Examining board members

Jarbas Honorio de Miranda; Rogerio Teixeira de Faria

• Advisor: Jarbas Honorio de Miranda

Abstract

Over the last several decades, there have been concerns worldwide about coping with increasing energy demand. Several alternatives to oil have emerged, among them the use of plant biomass for fuel. Sugarcane and maize have exhibited excellent potential in this regard. These crops are highly efficient in producing carbohydrates which can easily be fermented to produce ethanol. Proper irrigation practices, providing the ideal amount of water that the plant needs to reach its full potential yield, are needed to maximize income from these crops. Rational irrigation management is considered an important practice because it promotes sustainable water use. Sugarcane and maize are of great economic importance to the state of São Paulo, where it is common to irrigate these crops. This research aims to determine conditions for increased productivity and water availability for these crops in the region of Piracicaba, SP, under future climate scenarios. To achieve this goal, the DSSAT/CANEGRO and CERES-MAIZE crop growth models were coupled with the MarkSim model for estimating data for future climate scenarios. Information from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was used to generate data for current conditions, as well as for the A1B, A2 and B1 future scenarios. Current climate data (Minimum Temperature and Solar Radiation and Rain) for the period 1982 to 2012 for Piracicaba, SP, were obtained by meteorological station operated by the Department of Biosystems Engineering at ESALQ / USP. MarkSim was used to generate data for the same region for 2062 to 2092. The Tukey method, at a 5% level of significance was used to compare irrigation levels for current and future scenarios. Based on these results, for future scenarios, sugar cane productivity will be reduced by approximately 40%, and there will not be enough water to mitigate such an effect. The water depth in future scenarios was also reduced by approximately 40%. To maintain the same levels of productivity in corn, will be necessary to increase irrigation water by 81%. In conclusion, it is recommended that research be conducted in other areas if sugarcane productivity is to be maintained. Examples include genetic research to develop new varieties tolerant to climate variations. For maize cultivation, it is crucial the rational water management be introduced as soon as possible. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/26943-9 - Water management in sugarcane and corn under Global Climate Change: Application of CANEGRO and CERES-MAIZE models
• Grantee: Luciano Alves de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master