Effects of alternate-furrow irrigation: Water conservation on the yields of two soybean cultivars

Abstract

A 4-year (1980–1983) field study was conducted at the South Central Research Station, Chickasha, OK on a McLain silty clay loam (Fine, Mixed, Thermic, Pachic Argiustoll) to evaluate agronomic characteristics and yields of Essex and Sohoma soybeans ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) when irrigated by alternate- and every-furrow irrigation methods. When averaged over 4 years, Essex yielded 1983 and 2338 kg ha −1 compared to 2128 and 2595 kg ha −1 for Sohoma when both soybean cultivars were alternate-furrow and every-furrow-irrigated, respectively. The lower yields for the alternate-furrow irrigation treatment can be attributed to a smaller number of pods, less seeds, and smaller seed weight for both cultivars. Although, yields of soybeans grown on a fine-textured soil and alternate-furrow-irrigated were statistically significantly lower, acceptable yields were still produced with 40–50% less supplemental irrigation water. The magnitude in water savings with alternate-furrow irrigation and the resulting lower yields seems to be acceptable trade-offs and should have application for much of the subhumid and/or semiarid regions of the world.