Author(s) :

Maina, M.M, Eghrevba, N.A..

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

A Decision Support System for Agro-Technology (DSSAT) model was used to simulate the grain yield of pearl millets, which was subjected to three levels of irrigation (3, 5, 7 days) during the 2006 cropping season in Minna, Nigeria. The field grain yield for Sossat and local varieties at 5 days irrigation interval with application depth 5.6 mm gave the highest value of 2.65t/ha and 2.88t/ha respectively, this was followed by 3 days irrigation interval (2.53t/ha) and 7 days interval (2.25t/ha) for Sossat variety. The simulated grain yield followed same trend (5 days>3 days>7 days) when compared with the field data. The DSSAT Model over predicted the yield values for both varieties. The Sossat variety was over predicted by 29%, 53% and 51% at irrigation frequency of 3, 5, and 7 days. Similarly, the DSSAT ove- predicted local variety by 35%, 32%, and 21% at 3, 5, and 7 days irrigation intervals respectively. The economic analysis indicated that the benefit-cost ratio of the LV was higher than the SV. The LV had a benefit cost ratio of 5.2. This showed that LV has better financial returns when compared to SV.

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