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Evapotranspiration and Yield of Corn as Influenced by Moisture Level, Nitrogen Fertilization, and Plant Density¹

ABSTRACT

Yields and evapotranspiration rates by corn grown in Gardena loam at two levels of soil moisture, two plant densities, and several rates of N fertilization were studied for two growing seasons.

Neither N fertilizer nor plant density influenced yields in the nonirrigated treatment, but in the irrigated treatment corn yields in both plant densities increased when N fertilizer was applied. Measurements made on the number of kernels per square foot, and individual kernel weights showed that grain yields were most influenced by the number of kernels produced per unit area. Neither N fertilizer nor plant density appreciably affected the evapotranspiration rate. Evapotranspiration was considerably greater for the irrigation plots than for the nonirrigation plots. Rates of evapotranspiration were higher in 1957 than in 1956. The pounds of dry matter produced per inch of water used in evapotranspiration (water-use efficiency) was appreciably increased by using a high plant density and N fertilizer. This effect was much less marked in the nonirrigated treatments than in the irrigated. The amount of dry matter produced per inch of water used was greater on the nonirrigated treatment than on the irrigated treatment, except at the high N rate in the high plant density. It is apparent that if maximum efficiency of moisture use is to be realized, adequate fertilizer and plant densities are required.

¹ Contribution from Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA. Presented before Div. VI, Soil Science Society of America, Lafayette, Ind., Aug. 5, 1958.

² Soil Scientist, Soil Scientist, and Agricultural Engineer, respectively, Western Soil and Water Management Research Branch, SWCRD, ARS, USDA, Mandan, and Grand Forks, North Dakota, respectively.

Received for publication August 18, 1958. Accepted for publication October 2, 1958.