Ajuste da lâmina de irrigação no desempenho agronômico da cultura do milho

Abstract

Corn is one of the most produced and consumed cereals in the world, but its productivity is still very affected by the occurrence of water deficit, especially when it occurs concomitant to the critical period of the crop. In this way, search for more efficient management methods and irrigation systems become important, once the society is looking for mitigation of factors who reduce natural resources. Therefore, the purpose of this work was evaluate yield components, productivity, efficiency of water use and grain bromatology of maize crop, submitted to different irrigation levels, as well the validation of “Lâmina” spreadsheet for corn´s recommendation. The experiment was carried out at UFFS / Erechim RS experimental area, and the treatments were: without irrigation (control); Adjustment of irrigation level according to “Lâmina” spreadsheet; Maintenance of soil moisture equivalent to the actual soil water capacity relative to 55% of total soil water capacity (CRA 55%) and maintenance of soil moisture equivalent in 100% of field capacity humidity (100% CC ). The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with four replications. The yields were similar among irrigated treatments, without significant differences (P>0.05) for control treatment. This can be justified due to high volume of rainfall recorded and distribution of these during full crop cycle. “Lâmina” treatment used the second least amount of water applied, contributing to rational use in irrigated agricultural systems, without affect productivity and increasing crude protein content in grain when compared to other´s irrigated systems.