Abstract

SERVIN PALESTINA, Miguel et al. Models for irrigation timing and optimization in oats for forage. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.4, pp.667-684. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v9i4.4404.

Irrigated oats is an important forage-crop for livestock industry in arid and semi-arid zones; however, there is a lack of information regarding the relationship of dry matter yield and crop actual evapotranspiration or water demand; then the objective of the study was to develop mathematical models to describe yield and water use efficiency at different levels of irrigation water added. Maximum (P<0.05) yield (12.78 t ha-1) was found when 610.13 mm of water was applied, highest (P<0.05) water use efficiency was 2.36 kg of forage m-3 with 463.64 mm water applied and yielded 11.22 t ha-1, harvesting at the milky-dough stage (155 d after sowing or 1,291.5 degree days). Crop characteristics and mean effect of the soil evaporation (Kc), in function of the degree days, were better described by a cubic model. Using these models, in addition with the potential evapotranspiration, it is possible to estimate daily water demand, and it can be concluded that 7.15 mm d-1 is the maximum demand while 5.8 mm d-1 is the optimal demand without compromising yield. These models are a useful tool to optimize forage production from irrigated oats based on time and amount of water to be applied.

Keywords : Agricultural planning; Water productivity; Response functions; Degree days; Consumptive water use.

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