Evaluation of Corn Forage Yield and Yield Components under Alternate Furrow Irrigation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Former Graduate Student, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol

3 Assistant Professor and Staff Member, Soil and Water Research Institute

4 Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Research Center

Abstract

Different deficit irrigation management scenarios as alternate furrow irrigation with
regard to sensitive growth stages of corn were assessed in terms of the effects on yield
and yield components. The research was performed as a randomized full block design
with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were comprised of: full furrow
irrigation within whole growing season, alternate furrow irrigation in whole growing
season, full irrigation at the establishment stage and alternate irrigation at the other stages,
full irrigation at flowering stage while alternate irrigation at the other stages, full
irrigation at establishment and flowering stage accompanied by alternate irrigation at the
other stages, full irrigation at flowering and ripening stages and alternate irrigation in
other stages. Overall, the effect of deficit irrigation on yield and yield components was
statistically significant (p<0.01). Full irrigation in the whole growing season led to the
highest wet forage yield (67022 kg/ha) and while alternate furrow irrigation in the whole
growing season, the lowest wet forage yield (50064 kg/ha). The most desirable treatment
was recorded as: full irrigation at the flowering stage and alternate irrigation in the other
stages. With this treatment, the reduction in wet and dry forage yields, leaves wet and dry
weights as well as stem wet and dry weights in comparison with control were about 8 to
14 %. This is quiet acceptable as it saves 39% irrigation water. The highest irrigation
water use efficiency (1.88 kg/m3) was achieved through full irrigation at flowering stage
with alternate irrigation of the other stages.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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