Abstract
In regions with temperate and humid climate such as Uruguay, irrigation stabilizes and increases the yields of summer crops by supplementing rainfall. Irrigation on demand generates higher water consumption, it affects production system sustainability due to inefficient use of resources and it is environmentally negative (excessive fresh water use and energy for its extraction). It is necessary to evaluate deficit irrigation alternatives that increase the productivity of irrigation water. Therefore, three maximum irrigation depths were evaluated: (T2) 3 mm day-1, (T3) 6 mm day-1, (T4) 9 mm day-1, and (T1) control without irrigation (only receives rainfall), on corn production, in order to define more efficient irrigation strategies. Results indicate responses to different levels of deficit irrigation. When rainfall was higher than average, its poor distribution during the crop cycle generated water deficit at specific times, affecting yield. T1 and T2 did not cover etc during the Critical Period and grain filling, which caused lower yields. The yields in T3 and T4 were higher and on the three-year average they were significantly different. T3 did not always cover etc, but the soil reserve and rainfall contributed to cover it, saving almost 20% of irrigation water compared to T4. However, the water productivity indicators (wue, iwue) show that T4 is the best irrigation strategy, although it uses less rainfall and soil water reserve.
Highlights
Different studies estimate a 70% increase in the demand for food in the 30 years(1)(2)(3)
Deficit irrigation improves the sustainability of the production system by increasing the water use efficiency, profiting from rainfall and reducing the water extracted for irrigation, without significantly affecting crop yields and increasing the producer's income(10)(11)
The rainfed and 3-mm treatments did not cover the ETc during the Critical Period (CP) and grain filling in the three evaluated seasons and determined significant differences in the average yield of the three years
Summary
Different studies estimate a 70% increase in the demand for food in the 30 years(1)(2)(3). One of the strategies to meet this demand is to increase productivity and yield stability in current agricultural areas, avoiding their expansion(4). Increasing the irrigated area and water use efficiency could increase and stabilize yields in many parts of the world(5). The complete crop irrigation achieves yields close to the potential, in the absence of limiting factors. This practice is questioned due to the volume of water required, the negative effects on the environment(6) and the high irrigation costs. Deficit irrigation improves the sustainability of the production system by increasing the water use efficiency, profiting from rainfall and reducing the water extracted for irrigation, without significantly affecting crop yields and increasing the producer's income(10)(11)
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