USE OF THE IRRIMODEL SOFTWARE FOR DRIP IRRIGATION PROGRAMMING IN MAIZE CULTIVATION (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The state of Sinaloa is the main maize producer (Zea mays L.) in México, with 500,000 ha grown annually, and production of five million tons. Agriculture in Sinaloa is linked to the excessive use of inputs such as fertilizers and water, reducing its profitability. In maize only 45 % of the irrigation water is taken advantage of, the rest is lost in drainage and deep percolation, dragging mobile fertilizers such as nitrogen (N). Drip irrigation is the most efficient system nowadays; however, it has only been used for vegetables, and its use in grain production is limited by the lack of knowledge about yield, degree of water use, fertilizers and costs. Currently, there is a tool available for the precise management of the irrigation system operated with ICTs, which may contribute to improving the yield and use of inputs (IRRIMODEL) and, therefore, with the aim of understanding the benefits of drip irrigation in maize supported by IRRIMODEL, a plot of 0.86 ha was established on clay soil, with the maize variety DK-2038 of intermediate cycle. An irrigation requirement (Ln) of 52.1 cm was found and an applied sheet (Lb) of 58.9 cm, equivalent to efficiency of application (Ea) of 91.18 %; Lb in conventional irrigation fluctuated in 90 cm. The efficiency of the system and nutritional contribution of the soil allowed applying only 212-61-140 units of NPK, the mean dose of N in the zone is 350 units to obtain 12 t ha^-1. The mean yield obtained was 15.6 t ha^-1, improving profitability.