Saturday, 15 July 2006
153-25

Fertigation Effect on Corn Yield and its Compounds in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Cesario Jasso-Chaverria1, Miguel A. Martinez-Gamiņo1, and Jesus Huerta-Diaz2. (1) INIFAP, Santos Degollado #1015, Col.Cuauhtemoc, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, (2) Facultad de Agronomia, UASLP, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

During the spring-summer agricultural season 2001-2003, research plots were conducted at INIFAP′s Experimental San Luis Station with the objective of assessing the effect of fertigation on corn yield. Three nitrogen levels: 200, 300, and 400 kg ha-1 and two potash levels: 100 and 200 kg ha-1 were evaluated. These fertilization treatments were applied through drip irrigation and fractionated by phenological stages. Two additional treatments were included, one where soil was tilt by plowing and disking, a dose of fertilization (140N-60P-00K) was applied in band to the soil, and irrigation was by furrows, and another with the same dose of fertilization (140N-60P-00K) but applied through drip irrigation and fractionated by phenological stages. In all other treatments, soil was tilt by a root cutter type, instead of traditional plow, then it was disked, and sowing 1.65 m wide beds were constructed and soil surface was covered with 2 ton ha-1 of corn stubble. Corn was planted in double rows separated 0.80 m at the edge of sowing beds. Plant density was 100,000 plants ha -1. INIFAP corn hybrid H-358 was used. The experimental design was a randomized block with four repetitions. At the end of each growing season, yield corn and its compounds were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed using the SAS program (p ≤ 0.05). The statistical analysis of the six factorial treatments did not show statistical differences on grain yield and its compounds. When the two additional treatments were included into the statistical analysis, the results showed that just the treatment with fertilization to the soil and furrow irrigation obtained a reduction, statistically different, on corn grain of 3.048 ton ha-1, compared with the average yield of treatments with fertigation. It suggests that when the treatment 140N-60P-00K was applied and fractionated following phenological crop requirements was enough to satisfy nutritional necessities of corn.

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