IMPLANTATION SYSTEMS AND SURFACE IRRIGATION FOR MAIZE CROP IN LOWLAND AREAS

Abstract

The raised seedbed implantation system and the use of surfaceirrigation can be important practices to enable rotation with rice and ensure theexpression of the productive potential of maize in lowland areas. The purpose ofthis work was to evaluate the use of implantation systems and surface irrigationon agronomic characteristics and grain yield of maize crop in lowland areas.Two experiments were conducted in the experimental lowland area of theFederal University of Santa Maria – UFSM, during the 2014/15 crop season.The experiments consisted in the use of implantation systems with and withoutraised seedbeds and surface irrigation. The evaluated characteristics were plantheight, shoot dry mass, leaf area index, yield components and grain yield. Plantheight, leaf area index and shoot dry mass are higher when maize is grown inraised seedbeds in lowland areas. The raised seedbed system can be consideredan efficient way to improve drainage in the cultivation area, resulting in a highergrain yield. The use of irrigation during periods of water deficit, in the criticalperiod of crop growth, increases the grain yield of maize grown in lowland areas.