Yield Response Factor (Ky) for Winter Corn Crop in the Region of Dourados, Ms, Brazil

Abstract

Plant yield is strongly influenced by the amount of water used by it. In this sense, yield response factor (Ky) allows evaluating the decrease in yield as a function of the evapotranspiration that occurs, which may be an important tool for harvest forecasting. Therefore, this study aimed to determine Ky for winter corn crop grown in the region of Dourados, MS, Brazil. The yield function analysis based on the water factor, which requires actual (Ya) and maximum (Ym) yield data, as well as actual (ETa) and maximum (ETm) evapotranspiration, was used to adjust Ky. Ym was assumed to be 8,820 kg ha −1 , while Ya was obtained for each season from the database SIDRA from IBGE. ETm and ETa were estimated by sequential daily water balance, considering four different sowing dates (all in the off-season). In total, seasons from 2001 to 2013 were analyzed. The high Ky value obtained (1.22) for winter corn crop showed its high sensitivity to water deficit. Its yield is strongly influenced by water availability so that for every 1% reduction in evapotranspiration, there is a 1.22% yield reduction.

Effect of Water Supply and Sowing Dates on Corn Yield of Hybrids Grown During Offseason

“…Among the climatic elements that stand out the most are solar radiation, air temperature, and rainfall; these provide suitable water availability and photosynthetic rate since corn cultivation in offseason has a peculiar and distinct performance from that in the first cultivation (Bergamaschi & Matzenauer, 2014;Comunello et. al., 2018;Silva et al, 2019).…”

“…It was due to the low radiation supply at that time, which, in turn, influenced temperatures as winter approached, decreasing thermal supply in May, June, and July. Such reduction lengthened the crop cycle (Table 2) and thus affected flowering and grain filling (Shioga & Gerage, 2010;Silva et al, 2019). At these stages, plants use net radiation better, therefore, these periods are the most critical for corn as the expressive reduction of this factor limits photosynthetic activities and translocation of carbohydrates from leaves and stem to grains, decreasing grain yield potential in late sowings (Nascimento et al, 2011;Rodrigues et al, 2011;Bergamaschi & Matzenauer, 2014).…”

Determination of yield response factors for different varieties of teff

“…The techniques can be applied through deficit irrigation and alternate wetting and drying of the crop root zone (Asres, 2022;Busari et al, 2019;Eba & Seyoum, 2018;Mebrahtu et al, 2018;Mehari et al, 2020;Miras-Avalos et al, 2016). In line with this, yield response factors (K y ) are very important for the planning of irrigation projects and the management of irrigation water (Asres, 2022;English, 1990;Najarchi et al, 2011;Silva et al, 2019). The study of yield response factors to water stress at different growth stages plays a great role in efficient irrigation water management (Kipkorir et al, 2002;Singh et al, 1987).…”