Impact of Spatial Soil Variability on Rainfed Maize Yield in Kansas under a Changing Climate

As the climate changes, a growing demand exists to identify and manage spatial variation in crop yield ensure global food security. This study assesses soil variability its impact on maize under future eastern Kansas’ top ten maize-producing counties. A cropping system model, CERES-Maize of Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) was calibrated using observed yield. To account soils, gSSURGO database used. The model run baseline change scenarios two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 RCP8.5) assess rainfed simulation results showed that impacted by variability, spatially distributed soils produces better as compared most dominant county. projected increased temperature lower precipitation patterns during season resulted higher loss. Climate 28% 45% loss RCP4.5 RCP8.5 at end century, respectively. indicate uncertainties our region changing climate, emphasizing need developing strategies sustain production region.