Crop-water production functions for sweet corn

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science Vol. 114; no. 2
• Main Authors: Braunworth, W.S. Jr, Mack, H.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.1989
• Subjects: AGRICULTURA DE REGADIO; AGUA DEL SUELO; BESOIN EN EAU; CARACTERES DE RENDIMIENTO; COMPOSANTE DE RENDEMENT; CULTURE SOUS IRRIGATION; EAU DU SOL; EFFICACITE; EFICACIA; EVAPOTRANSPIRACION; EVAPOTRANSPIRATION; MODELE; MODELOS; NECESIDADES DE AGUA; OREGON; RENDEMENT; RENDEMENT DES CULTURES; RENDIMIENTO; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS; USO DEL AGUA; UTILISATION DE L'EAU; ZEA MAYS
• ISSN: 0003-1062; 2327-9788
• DOI: 10.21273/JASHS.114.2.210

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) was irrigated using randomized complete block and line source experimental designs in 1984 and 1985 on a mixed, mesic Cumulic Ultic Haploxeroll soil. Irrigations were scheduled when approximately 50% of the available water was depleted in the root zone of the 100% treatment to refill the zone to 0% to 100% of field capacity (five irrigation levels). Four yield parameters were measured for all plots: yield of all ears before husking, yield of good husked ears, kernel yield (fresh), and total dry matter production of plants and ears. Maximum relative total unhusked ear yield and near-maximum evapotranspiration (ET) were obtained at 85% of maximum water applied, indicating that high yields can be maintained with deficit irrigation. Without irrigation, only 44% of maximum yield was obtained. Maximum water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the total unhusked ear yield in kg.ha-1.mm-1ET, occurred between 407 and 418 mm of ET. The maximum WUE corresponded to approximately 313 mm water applied (WA); maximum yield, however, occurred within the range of 449 to 518 mm WA. Irrigation treatments to achieve maximum WUE were predicted to result in a 10% yield reduction