Yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to limited water supply in a semi-arid climate

摘要

Deficit irrigation can be an efficient practice to manage limited resources, with satisfactory results due to the energetic input reduction and consequent cut of production costs. Irrigation efficiency at specific phenological stages can be improvedwhen certain agronomical practices are applied such as proper crop selection, appropriate plant density and sowing times, low soil water potential along the plant rooting pathway at the beginning of the growing season, and lower fertilizer use. Deficitirrigation field trials were carried out on maize in the semi-arid coastal plain near Grosseto, Italy. The yield response to different combinations of water supply was evaluated. Maize pollination was particularly sensitive to water stress from the lastvegetative period, and sensitivity decreased during the yield formation. Other parameters, such as plants height, lodging percentage, ear insertion and commercial grain yield, submitted to statistical analysis, are summarized and discussed.