Grain Yield, Crop and Basal Evapotranspiration, Production Functions, and Water Productivity Response of Drought-tolerant and Non-drought-tolerant Maize Hybrids under Different Irrigation Levels, Population Densities, and Environments: Part II. In South-c

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suat Irmak ◽  
Ali T. Mohammed ◽  
William L. Kranz

Abstract. Information and data on newer drought-tolerant maize hybrid response to water in different climates are extremely scarce. This research quantified the performance of non-drought-tolerant (NDT) (H1) and drought-tolerant (DT) (H2, H3, and H4) maize ( L.) hybrids response to grain yield, crop evapotranspiration (ETc), basal evapotranspiration (ETb), ETc-yield production functions (ETYPF), and crop water use efficiency (CWUE) at three irrigation levels and two plant population densities (PPDs) at two locations (transition zone between sub-humid and semi-arid climates at Clay Center (SCAL), Nebraska, in 2010 and 2012; and in a sub-humid climate at Concord (HAL), Nebraska, in 2010, 2011, and 2012). Irrigation treatments were: fully irrigated (FIT), early cutoff (ECOT) (i.e., no irrigation after blister stage), and rainfed (RFT) under two PPDs of 59,300 plants ha-1 (low PPD), and 84,000 plants ha-1 (high PPD). Generally, DT hybrids performed superior to NDT hybrid consistently at both locations, treatments, and years. DT H3 and DT H4 had highest grain yield consistently at SCAL and HAL, respectively. DT H3 and H4 hybrids’ productivity was not only superior in the RFT, but also in FIT. The highest yield of 16.3, and 15.3 Mg ha-1 were achieved by DT H3 (high PPD) and DT H2 (high PPD), respectively, associated with 471 and 590 mm of ETc in the FIT in 2012 at SCAL, and HAL, respectively. In most cases, all hybrids had highest grain yield under low PPD than high PPD at the RFT. All hybrids exhibited a linear yield response to increasing ETc in all years at both locations with positive slopes in all cases. The individual ETYPF response for individual hybrids had inter-annual variation in slopes between the hybrids and for the same hybrids between the years and location for both low and high PPDs. The ETYPF slopes ranged from 0.004 to 0.102 Mg ha-1 mm-,1 including all treatments (i.e., irrigation and PPDs) at SCAL for 2010 and 2012; and they ranged from 0.008 to 0.057 Mg ha-1 mm-1 including all treatments at HAL for 2010, 2011, and 2012. The ETb values exhibited inter-annual variation for the same hybrid between the irrigation levels, PPDs, and locations and they also exhibited an inner-annual variation between the hybrids and treatments in a given year with DT hybrids having consistently lower ETb values than the NDT hybrid. The greatest CWUE values were found in DT hybrids consistently at both locations. The DT hybrids can significantly increase yield productivity as well as crop water productivity per unit of ETc with respect to conventional hybrids not only in dry conditions, but also in average or above average years in terms of precipitation. Keywords: Basal evapotranspiration, Crop evapotranspiration, Drought-tolerance, Efficiency, Maize, Production functions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali T. Mohammed ◽  
Suat Irmak ◽  
William L. Kranz ◽  
Simon van Donk ◽  
C. Dean Yonts

Abstract.Grain yield, crop evapotranspiration (ETc), basal evapotranspiration (ETb), ETc-yield production functions (ETYPF), and crop water use efficiency (CWUE) response of three drought-tolerant (DT) and one non-drought-tolerant (NDT) maize ( L.) hybrids to two plant population densities (PPDs) [84,000 plants ha-1 (high PPD) and 59,300 plants ha-1 (low PPD)] and three irrigation levels were researched at two semi-arid locations: North Platte (WCREC) and Scottsbluff (MAL), Nebraska, in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The irrigation levels were fully irrigated (FIT), early cutoff (ECOT), and rainfed (RFT). Precipitation in 2010 was above average, 2011 was a normal year, and 2012 was one of the driest and hottest years in Nebraska’s recorded history. Generally, DT hybrids performed better than the NDT hybrid. The performances of the DT hybrids were stronger in the driest year and driest location (MAL), especially with low PPD. ETc exhibited inter-annual variation for the same hybrid in the same location and between the two locations and also with the PPD and irrigation treatments. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the ETc values for the same hybrids across three irrigation treatments. The grain yield response to hybrids and treatments also exhibited substantial variation for the same hybrid between the PPDs and had inter-annual variation between the years and locations. The greatest grain yields of 14.6 and 18.0 Mg ha-1 were observed with 548 and 837 mm of ETc, which were recorded for the DT hybrid H3 (high PPD) at WCREC and MAL, respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in performance among the DT hybrids in performance variables (ETc, ETb, ETYPF, CWUE). In most cases, the DT hybrids produced greater grain yield than the NDT hybrid with lower ETc. In terms of ETYPF response for individual hybrids, the slope of the production functions exhibited an inter-annual variation between the hybrids and for the same hybrids between the years and location for both high and low PPDs. All hybrids exhibited a linear yield response to increasing ETc in all years at both locations with positive slopes in all cases with DT hybrids having the greatest slopes. The ETb values also exhibited a substantial variation between the hybrids, years, locations, and PPDs. Generally, DT hybrids had sizably lower ETb values than the NDT hybrid in both PPD levels. It was concluded that DT hybrids increase the grain yield production per unit of ETc in semi-arid regions not only during very dry and hot year, but also during the growing season with favorable rainfall and climate conditions. Keywords: Basal evapotranspiration, Drought-tolerance, Maize, Yield production functions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Suat Irmak ◽  
Ali T. Mohammed ◽  
William Kranz ◽  
C.D. Yonts ◽  
Simon van Donk

Irrigation-yield production functions (IYPFs), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and grain production per unit of applied irrigation of non-drought-tolerant (NDT) and drought-tolerant (DT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were quantified in four locations with different climates in Nebraska [Concord (sub-humid), Clay Center (transition zone between sub-humid and semi-arid); North Platte (semi-arid); and, Scottsbluff (semi-arid)] during three growing seasons (2010, 2011, and 2012) at three irrigation levels (fully-irrigated treatment (FIT), early cut-off (ECOT), and rainfed (RFT)) under two plant population densities (PPDs) (low-PPD; 59,300 plants ha−1; and, high-PPD, 84,000 plants ha−1). Overall, DT hybrids’ performance was superior to NDT hybrid at RFT, ECT, and FIT conditions, as confirmed by the yield response, IYPF and IWUE when all locations, years, and PPDs were averaged. The yield response to water was greater with the high-PPD than the low-PPD in most cases. The magnitude of the highest yields for DT hybrids ranged from 7.3 (low-PPD) to 8.5% (high-PPD) under RFT, 3.7 (low-PPD) to 9.6% (high-PPD) under ECOT, and 3.9% (high-PPD) under FIT higher than NDT hybrid. Relatively, DT hybrids can resist drought-stress conditions longer than NDT hybrid with fewer penalties in yield reduction and maintain comparable or even higher yield production at non-stress-water conditions.


Author(s):  
Morteza Goldani ◽  
Mohammad Bannayan ◽  
Fatemeh Yaghoubi

Abstract This two-year study aimed to determine the most appropriate irrigation scheduling and crop water productivity (CWP) of basil plant under controlled conditions in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experimental layout was a split-plot design with three replications. Three deficit irrigation (DI) levels (DI0: 100%, DI30: 70% and DI60: 40% of the field capacity) and two basil cultivars (Green and Purple) were applied to main and subplots, respectively. The results showed that there was a decrease in yield and an increase in CWP for fresh leaves and fresh and dry herb by decreasing the irrigation water. However, a significant difference between fresh leaves and fresh and dry herb yield of DI0 and DI30 treatment was not observed. The Green basil had higher leaves and herb yield and CWP than other cultivar. A polynomial relationship was stablished between fresh leaves yield and crop evapotranspiration, however the yield response factor (Ky) indicated a linear relationship between the relative reduction in crop evapotranspiration vs. the relative reduction in yield. The Ky values were obtained as 0.70 and 0.76 for Green and Purple basil, respectively. The results revealed that the irrigation regime of 30% water saving could insure acceptable yield of basil plant and increase in CWP, especially for the Green basil cultivar.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 756
Author(s):  
AbdAllah M. El-Sanatawy ◽  
Ahmed S. M. El-Kholy ◽  
Mohamed M. A. Ali ◽  
Mohamed F. Awad ◽  
Elsayed Mansour

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-305
Author(s):  
Cícero J Silva ◽  
Nadson C Pontes ◽  
Adelmo Golynski ◽  
Marcos B Braga ◽  
Alice M Quezado-Duval ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Irrigation management is essential to promote appropriate plant growth and guarantee production and quality of the tomatoes for processing, increases the efficiency of nutrients use and contributes to ensure the sustainability of the production chain. This study was installed to evaluate productive performance of two processing tomato hybrids submitted to five water depths under drip irrigation system. Five levels of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) replacement (60%, 100%, 140%, 180% and 220%) and two tomato hybrids (BRS Sena and H 9992) were tested. The experimental design was a 5×2 factorial arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. During the crop cycle, hybrids BRS Sena and H 9992 needed 692.20 and 418.43 mm of water, yielding 80 and 44.06 t ha-1, respectively. For both hybrids, the higher water productivity was observed when lower levels of irrigation were applied. Higher productivities and pulp yields of ‘BRS Sena’ and ‘H 9992’ were noticed when replacing 150-166% and 99-101% ETc, respectively. We observed that improving the performance of processing hybrid tomatoes is possible by adjusting irrigation levels for each hybrid according to growing conditions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 216 ◽  
pp. 177-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suat Irmak ◽  
Meetpal S. Kukal ◽  
Ali T. Mohammed ◽  
Koffi Djaman

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1189-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meetpal S. Kukal ◽  
Suat Irmak

Abstract. Sustainable agricultural utilization of the limited water resources demands improvements in understanding the changes in crop water productivity (CWP) in space and time, which is often presented as a potential solution to relieve the growing pressure on fresh water resources. In addition, crop yield needs to be studied in relation to precipitation received annually and during the growing season for its contribution to reduce irrigation water requirements, which is quantified through precipitation use efficiency (PUE). Hence, systematic quantifications, mapping, and analyses of large-scale CWP and PUE levels are needed. This study aims to quantify long-term (1982-2013) information on grain yield, PUE, and CWP for maize and soybean in the U.S. Great Plains counties and to map and analyze them. Multiple public data sources were used, including weather, satellite, and yield datasets for the 834 counties over a 32-year period. Long-term average maize grain yield ranged from 1.56 to 12.81 t ha-1 with a regional average of 6.66 t ha-1. Long-term average soybean grain yield ranged from 0.47 to 3.46 t ha-1 with an average of 2.17 t ha-1. About 87% and 89% of the counties in the region showed increasing trends in grain yield for maize and soybean, respectively, with regional average increasing trends for maize and soybean yield of 0.1014 and 0.0328 t ha-1 year-1, respectively. The regional annual PUE (ANNPUE) and growing season PUE (GRSPUE) were 1.09 and 1.90 kg m-3, respectively, for maize and 0.32 and 0.55 kg m-3, respectively, for soybean. In addition, the regional average increasing trends in maize ANNPUE (exhibited by 88% of counties) and GRSPUE (exhibited by 85% of counties) were 0.0174 and 0.0316 kg m-3 year-1. For soybean, regional average increasing trends in ANNPUE (exhibited by 91% of counties) and GRSPUE (exhibited by 87% of counties) were 0.0048 and 0.0081 kg m-3 year-1. The magnitude of maize CWP varied from 0.30 to 2.97 kg m-3 with a regional average of 1.08 kg m-3, and soybean CWP varied from 0.15 to 0.67 kg m-3 with a regional average of 0.40 kg m-3. It was found that 79% and 86% of the counties showed positive trends in maize and soybean CWP, respectively, and the increasing trend magnitudes were 0.0144 and 0.0047 kg m-3 year-1. Pooled data from all counties and growing seasons were used to develop frequency distribution histograms to quantify the inter-annual variation and distribution characteristics. The level of CWP variability represented via maps revealed regions where opportunity exists for improvements in production system efficiency. A comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns in these efficiency indices will provide a basis for decision-making in resource assessments, planning, evaluation, and investment by state and federal agencies and stakeholders. Keywords: Agriculture, Climate, Evapotranspiration, Great Plains, Water productivity.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document