Investigation on irrigation performance indicators and silage corn production based on deficit irrigation at the furrow end

The scarcities of fresh water resources for agriculture production on the one hand and low cost establishment and energy supply and easy maintenance on the other hand, has led researchers to conduct many studies about increasing surface irrigation efficiency. In this study, effect of deficit irrigation at the furrow end on furrow irrigation performance indicators and effect of soil moisture profile on silage corn yield (biomass) were investigated in Karaj, Iran, in 2014. Four treatments (100% irrigation: full irrigation, 75% irrigation: 25% deficit irrigation, 50% irrigation: 50% deficit irrigation and 25% irrigation: 75% deficit irrigation at the furrow end) were considered. Deficit irrigation increased application efficiency. Runoff was as a main irrigation water loss due to short furrow and high slope. Deficit irrigation increased non-uniformity of moisture profile and crop production along the furrow. The most non-uniformity of crop yield along the furrow was observed in the 75% deficit irrigation treatment. Crop yield was greater at the upstream than at the downstream of experimental furrows. There was a direct relationship between crop yield and storage efficiency. The treatment with 25% deficit irrigation at the furrow end was identified as the best treatment regarding water saving and low reduction of crop yield.