Abstract

ORTEGA JUSTAVINO, Richard José; LOYOLA, Pablo Fernando  and  LLERA GIMENEZ, Joaquín Antonio. Assessment of fodder corn grown under surface and subsurface drip irrigation in Mendoza, Argentina. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Agrar., Univ. Nac. Cuyo [online]. 2021, vol.53, n.2, pp.132-142. ISSN 1853-8665.

Surface (DI) and subsurface (SDI) drip irrigation constitute one advantageous system that increases both irrigation and water use efficiency. The objective of this research was to assess and compare the response of fodder corn to DI and two different depths of SDI, in Mendoza. We used a factorial experimental design with randomized blocks and repeated measures. Tests were run in two consecutive cycles. Germination percentage (GP), yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and water productivity (WP), were assessed. High yields ranging from 70,214 to 105,771 kg ha-1 of green matter and 10,020 to 22,476 kg ha-1 of dry matter (DM) were obtained in both cycles, respectively. DM after the first sowing was significantly higher in both cycles under SDI than under DI. No significant differences in WP, WUE, GP or soil moisture (SM) could be found among treatments, but significant differences were found in SM (p=<0.0001) between the first soil layer and the other two layers.

Keywords : Zea mays L.; Subsurface drip irrigation; Localized irrigation; Yield; Water use efficiency; Water productivity.

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