Abstract

CAPURRO, Ma Cristina et al. Yield of Soybean in Response to Different Doses and Moments of Irrigation. Agrociencia Uruguay [online]. 2017, vol.21, n.2, pp.65-76. ISSN 1510-0839.

In Uruguay, climatic conditions and soil water availability determine periods where evapotranspiration (ET) exceeds availablewater, producing a water deficit for the plants. Due to our interannual rainfall variability, this situation worsens and yield lossesoccur caused by deficit periods. Implementing irrigation to meet the requirements of ET needs large amounts of water. Theapplication of water below the requirements for maximum ET is defined as deficit irrigation (DI) and is a strategy that increaseswater productivity. The technique known as regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), which considers the sensitivity of crop developmentphases to water stress can improve water productivity even more. This research studies these irrigation practices and theirimpact on the soybean crop yield. Two trials were evaluated using different doses and irrigation timings. According to theresults, there is a linear-plateau response of yields to total effective water. Water deficits caused a significant yield reduction. RDIirrigation strategy showed to be an alternative that in Uruguayan conditions can achieve maximum yields allowing watersavings up to 22 %. The usage of a daily water balance schedule according to the FAO Guide N° 56 methodologies isessential for a proper irrigation management.

Keywords : evapotranspiration; deficit irrigation; water productivity; irrigation scheduling.

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