Identification of weak links in production technology for bridging the canola yield-gap in Punjab, Pakistan

Understanding the reasons for the yield gap between potential and actual yield can provide insights for enhancing canola production by adapting measures for ensuring food security. The canola yield gap under different management practices (e.g. water, nitrogen, N- and sowing dates) was quantified using research trials that were conducted at on-station and historical data (1980-2016) and the CROPGRO-Canola model for Punjab, Pakistan. The integrated approach revealed that low inputs of N, the amount of irrigation, sowing date and the use of seeds from home stocks were the principal causes for a low yield. The CROPGRO-Canola model was able to simulate the canola yield from research trials (R-2 = >0.90) and farm survey data (R-2 = 0.63). The average yield gap between potential (Y-P), N-limited (Y-NL), water-limited (Y-WL), N- and water-limited (Y-NWL), and overall farmer field yield (Y-OFF) was 50, 46, 62 and 72%, respectively. The yield-gap with achievable yield (Y-A) for Y-NL, Y-WL, Y-NWL and Y-OFF was 34, 28, 49 and 63%, respectively. Overall, the results showed that a high canola yield for farmers' fields can be obtained by selecting appropriate varieties and sowing dates with N rate of 120 kg/ha and efficient irrigation management. However, further studies are necessary to fully comprehend the underlying causes for the low actual yield and the high yield variability of farmers' fields.