Agricultural production progresses as farmers seamlessly integrate and adopt novel technologies and practices, supported by public policies and investments in research. Quantifying the contributions of different factors to agricultural productivity growth is challenging, which is why this new study is so valuable. Around 140,000 ha of irrigated wheat are grown each year in the Yaqui Valley of Mexico, a region that serves as a key example for the impact and evolution of the Green Revolution over the past 60 years.
Wheat yields in the valley increased about 250%, from 2 t/ha in 1960 to 7 t/ha at present. But this yield increase was not steady: yields rose fastest during 1960-1980 as high-yielding varieties were adopted and nitrogen fertilizer use increased from about 40 to 180 kg N/ha. From 1980 to 1999, planting on raised beds and phosphorus fertilizers were adopted widely, but crop rotational diversity declined and yield growth slowed down. Since 2000, consolidation of operational crop units and more skilful and timely agronomic management resulted in accelerated yield growth. Overall, this study demonstrates how in crop production systems breeding and agronomic improvements go hand in hand to increase yield, resource use efficiency and sustainability. In the Yaqui Valley, yield growth and system sustainability are deemed to be good, whereas nitrogen use efficiency and diversity lag behind.
