Effect of three driptape installation depths on water use efficiency and yield parameters in forage maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation.

摘要

A comparative study was conducted between subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and furrow irrigation systems (FIS) for water use efficiency and yield parameters in forage maize cultivation. Field study was conducted during the 2002 summer-autumn growing season in Coahuila, Mexico. Treatments were 3 SDI with driptape buried at 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 m depth, as well as a fourth treatment using FIS as a control. Soils were loamy with 0.2 g cm-3 available moisture. Measured parameters included: depth of dripline installation; water use efficiency; forage yield; plant height; stem diameter; fresh plant weight; ear diameter; ear length; and fresh ear weight (with and without husk). Irrigation depth in the SDI treatments was 0.47 vs. 0.65 m in the FGI treatment, representing a 28% water savings. Water use efficiency was significantly higher in the SDI treatments than in the FGI treatment (2.9 vs. 2.0 kg m-3). The highest forage yield (46 200 kg ha-1) was recorded in the SDI 0.45 m treatment, though this was not different than the FIS treatment (43 800 kg ha-1). Plant height in the SDI 0.25 m treatment (1.72 m) was higher than in the FIS treatment (1.67 m), though not statistically different. No statistical differences between treatments were observed for stem diameter, fresh plant weight, ear diameter, ear length or fresh ear weight (with and without husk)..