Analysis of maize growth for different irrigation strategies in northeastern Spain.

摘要

The LINTUL growth model was adapted and parameterized using data from irrigation trials with maize in 1995 in Zaragoza, Spain, and from the literature. This model is based on the concept of light use efficiency, incorporates soil water balance and simulates phenology, crop leaf area, biomass accumulation and yield. It was tested on independent data from the 1995 and 1996 seasons under different irrigation treatments. The model predicted the flowering date within 5 days of the observed values. Leafarea index was predicted satisfactorily, except under extreme water stress conditions, where it was overestimated. In general, soil moisture content and yield were accurately predicted. In the 1996 experiment, measured yields ranged from 6.4 to 13.6 t/haand simulated yields from 6.5 to 12.2 t/ha. Analysis of the model identified a process that strongly affects yield loss due to drought, but for which present understanding is still insufficient: the effects of drought on leaf senescence and canopy architecture.