Assessment of wheat yield gap in Central Asia: Case studies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Abstract

Wheat is by far the most important grain cultivated and consumed in Central Asia. It is therefore an important crop for food security in this region. As a result of increased population growth and food demands, sustainable intensification of wheat production is important. However, there is a large potential to increase wheat yields in the Central Asian region through improved management practices along with improved varieties, improved nitrogen application, optimum irrigation, early sowing days together with supplementary irrigation. This can close the wide yield gaps between farmers yields and potential yields. The study demonstrates 18 cases from different agro-climatic zones, including rainfed and irrigated fields with different salinity levels.