Effects of Dynamic and Static New Deficit Irrigation Strategies on the Yield and Water Productivity of Two Field Grown Corn Cultivars

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of new deficit irrigation strategies on the quantitative characteristics and water productivity of two field grown corn cultivars, a split plot experiment was conducted as a randomized design in three replications. The irrigation treatments included full irrigation treatment (FI), static deficit irrigation (SDI), dynamic deficit irrigation (DDI), static partial root zone drying irrigation (SPRD), which received 75% of ET during the growth period, dynamic partial root zone drying irrigation (DPRD), which received 90% of ET in the first one- third of the growth period, 75% of ET in the second one- third of growth period, and 50% of ET in the last one- third of the growth period. The results showed that there were significant differences between irrigation strategies. The SDI, DDI, SPRD and DPRD irrigation treatments decreased the corn yield by 18%, 27%, 49% and 53%, as compared to FI, respectively. The results also showed that there were no significant differences between cultivars. Compared to FI, the SDI increased WP by 14%, but DDI, SPRD and DPRD decreased WP by 3%, 19% and 44%, respectively. According to economic analysis, irrigation optimum depth for the maximum net profit was obtained to be 858.5 mm. In general, the SDI strategy is recommended in the study area.

Keywords

• new deficit irrigation strategies
• optimized irrigation depth
• production function
• water use productivity