Effect of irrigation interval on yield and yield components of New Corn Cultivars

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation interval on water use efficiency, yield, yield components and also determining the most suitable maize cultivar, a split plot experiment in a randomized completely block design was implemented with four replicates for two years (2014-2016) in Behbahan Agricultural Research Station. The main factor of drought stress was irrigation after 100 and 200 mm evaporation from class A pan and the sub factor was cultivars in four levels including Karoon 701, S.C. Mobin, S.C 704 and PH1. After the complete emergence of the field when the total evaporation from the class A reaches to 100 and 200 millimeters, the amount of irrigation water is calculated based on the deficit moisture content to field capacity and is applied to each sub-plot by a flowmeter. The comparison of mean irrigation treatments showed 100 mm evaporation from class A pan had a significant superiority in all properties than 200 mm evaporation from class A pan. The yield of corn in stress treatment (200 mm) showed a decrease of 16.7% as compared to the non-stress (100 mm) treatment. For each cm reduction in water consumption per hectare, the yield of corn decreased 164 kg per hectare. The earlier appearance of corn in PH1 variety of maize caused a premature cultivar and a reduction in the growth period which cause a less water consumption and a more opportunity for land preparation for the next cultivation. The comparison of traits mean in irrigation and cultivar interaction showed that the PH1 cultivar with 100 mm evaporation from class A pan was superior in terms of grain yield and water use efficiency which were equal to 7143.5 kg/ha and 1.353 kg/m3, respectively. The results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed by increasing the yield components of corn, the grain yield and water use efficiency increases and vice versa.