An agronomic overview of US major cereal cropping systems

Authors: Adviento-Borbe, Arlene

Submitted to: Elsevier
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2019
Publication Date: 1/24/2020
Citation: Adviento-Borbe, A.A. 2020. An agronomic overview of U.S. major cereal cropping systems. In: Perdon, A.A, Schonauer, S.L., Poutanen, K.S., editors. Breakfast cereals and how they are made: Raw materials, processing and production. 3rd edition. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier. p. 39-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812043-9.00002-3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812043-9.00002-3

Interpretive Summary: Cereal crops are the most important crops for global food ecurity. The U.S. is one of the largest cereal exporters in the world. To secure a future domestic cereal supply and to sustain its position in the global crop market, U.S. cereal production will require a 50-110% increase by 2050. To raise current yields, crop growers are expected to increase grain yields per unit land area and at the same time preserve the environment. This chapter provides an overview of the current crop culture in the U.S. and discusses major differences in environments and important production practices employed across the country. Cereal crops are produced in every part of the U.S. which are both largest in terms of value and harvested area. Differences in cropping management are related to increasing production efficiency, sustaining available resources, climatic differences, and ease of field operations. Maize and wheat productions are largely concentrated in the Great Plains while rice is produced in major distinct rice regions namely California and Southern States. Various irrigation water management practices are implemented in the Midwest and Southern states to help address declines of groundwater source and changes in weather patterns. Flooded rice system is a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This chapter offers some of the greatest opportunities for crop producers to reduce both input costs and environmental impacts associated with cereal production. It also provides additional information necessary to develop impactful research studies on raising grain yields, increasing water use efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from US crop cultivation.

Technical Abstract: Major cereal crops namely rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays, L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L.) are important agronomic crops for food security. The U.S. is one of the largest cereal exporters in the world. Cereal crops are produced in nearly every part of the U.S.; they are the largest U.S. crops in terms of value and harvested area. Cereal productions have varying differences in yields and cropping practices of regional climatic differences. This chapter provides an overview of U.S. cereal production and highlights major differences in production practices which impact environmental sustainability. Cereal cropping is characterized by broadcast seeding or seeding in a row or seedbed on a moist to wet soil and fertilized based on plant’s nutrient requirements, soil test results and climatic conditions. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for maximum grain yields and slight deficiencies could cause a yield penalty. Methane is largely emitted from flooded rice fields and contributes to the increase in greenhouse gas emission. This review provides information necessary to develop research goals towards addressing yield gaps and efficient crop management practices.