Effects of different drip irrigation levels on yield and some agronomic characteristics of raised bed planted corn

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different irrigation levels on water use, yield and some agronomic parameters of drip-irrigated corn under the Eastern Mediterranean climatic conditions in Turkey. In the trials, irrigation water was applied as I 20: 20%, I 40: 40%, I 60: 60%, I 80: 80%, I 100: 100% and I 120: 120% of evaporation from a Class A Pan. The seasonal total irrigation water ranged from 55 to 381 mm and seasonal crop water use varied from 365 to 584 mm in different treatments. Irrigation levels significantly affected yield and yield contributing parameters at P<0.01 level. The average corn grain yields varied from 1.93 to 10.4 t ha -1. The highest grain yield and yield components were found in I 120 while the lowest were found in I 20 treatment. Irrigation levels had statistically significant effect on fresh and dry above ground biomass production of corn at P<0.01 level. The highest water use efficiency (1.77 kg m -3) value was found in I 120 treatment. Seasonal yield response factor (ky) was 1.98 in the experiment. © 2011 Academic Journals.