Effects of different irrigation levels on yield and yield components of drip irrigated popcorn

Abstract

In areas of water scarcity, plant responses to soil water levels should be investigated to improve crop water productivity. This study was carried out to determine the effects of different irrigation levels on yield and some yield components using the drip irrigation method of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta R427) in sub-humid climate conditions in western Turkey. A field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Four different irrigation treatments were studied: 100% (S1, pan-crop coefficient kpc=1.00), 75% (S2, kpc=0.75), 50% (S3, kpc=0.50), and 25% (S4, kpc=0.25) of the evaporation measured in the Class-A pan. The amount of irrigation water applied varied between 126-516 mm, and crop evapotranspiration was between 245-590 mm. While the highest grain yield (486.2 kg da-1) was obtained from the S1 irrigation treatment, followed by S2. The yield decreased owing to the decrease in irrigation level. Thousand-grain weight, ear diameter, ear length, single-ear weight, number of rows per ear, and plant height values in the S1 and S2 irrigation treatments were higher than the S3 and S4. It was concluded that the Class-A pan could be used to schedule popcorn irrigation, and 75% of evaporation from Class-A pan would be enough for irrigation. In this condition, around 25% savings in irrigation water and a 20% decrease in crop evapotranspiration could be achieved. In comparison, a decrease of 6% in grain yield and an enhancement in water productivity could be attained.