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Wind effects on solid set sprinkler irrigation depth and yield of maize (Zea mays)

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Abstract

A field experiment was performed to study the effect of the space and time variability of water application on maize (Zea mays) yield when irrigated by a solid set sprinkler system. A solid set sprinkler irrigation layout, typical of the new irrigation developments in the Ebro basin of Spain, was considered. Analyses were performed (1) to study the variability of the water application depth in each irrigation event and in the seasonal irrigation and (2) to relate the spatial variability in crop yield to the variability of the applied irrigation and to the soil physical properties. The results of this research showed that a significant part of the variability in the Christiansen coefficient of uniformity (CU), and wind drift and evaporation losses were explained by the wind speed alone. Seasonal irrigation uniformity (CU of 88%) was higher than the average uniformity of the individual irrigation events (CU of 80%). The uniformity of soil water recharge was lower than the irrigation uniformity, and the relationship between both variables was statistically significant. Results indicated that grain yield variability was partly dictated by the water deficit resulting from the non-uniformity of water distribution during the crop season. The spatial variability of irrigation water depth when the wind speed was higher than 2 m s−1 was correlated with the spatial variability of grain yield, indicating that a proper selection of the wind conditions is required in order to attain high yield in sprinkler-irrigated maize.

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Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the Research and Development programme of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Spain and the FEDER funds of The European Union, through grant 2FD97-0547, and by the CONSI+D of the Government of Aragón, through grant P028/2000. The International Agency of Cooperation (Government of Spain) awarded a research scholarship to F. Dechmi. Thanks are also due to Miguel Izquierdo, Jesús Gaudó and Enrique Mayoral for their technical assistance in the field experiment and to Tere Molina for her contribution to laboratory analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics and Plant Production, Laboratory for Agronomy and Environment (DGA- CSIC), Estación Experimental de Aula Dei CSIC, Apdo. 202, 50080, Zaragoza, Spain

    F. Dechmi, E. Playán, J. Cavero & A. Martínez-Cob

  2. Department of Soils and Irrigation, Laboratory for Agronomy and Environment (DGA-CSIC), Servicio de Investigación Agroalimentaria DGA, Apdo. 727, 50080, Zaragoza, Spain

    J. M. Faci

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  1. F. Dechmi
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  2. E. Playán
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  3. J. Cavero
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  4. J. M. Faci
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  5. A. Martínez-Cob
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Correspondence to E. Playán.

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Dechmi, F., Playán, E., Cavero, J. et al. Wind effects on solid set sprinkler irrigation depth and yield of maize (Zea mays). Irrig Sci 22, 67–77 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-003-0071-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-003-0071-9

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