Soil water during the critical period for yield definition of maize in center-southeastern of Buenos Aires

IRIGOYEN, A.; HOLZMAN, M.; PANUNZIO MOSCOSO, M.P.; ECHARTE, L.; CAMBARERI, M.A.; RIVAS, R.

REVISTA ARGENTINA DE AGROMETEOROLOGIA

ASOCIACIÓN ARGENTINA DE AGROMETEOROLOGÍA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2020 vol. XI p. 17 - 32

1666-017X

Because of the importance of early yield prediction, the purpose of this studywas to identify the pattern of variations of soil water during the critical period foryield definition (PC) over the region center-southeastern of Buenos Aires fromsimple methods of simulation of crop phenology and soil water. The objectiveswere: a) to characterize the position in the calendar of the occurrence of thePC for agricultural scenarios that combine maturity cycles and planting datesand b) evaluate soil water variations within the PC. Six planting dates and threecultivars with contrasting maturity cycles were evaluated at four locations.The growing seasons (1971-2010) were simulated by using degree-days asestimator. Water balances were computed following a reservoir type model(daily step). Soil water was analyzed at intervals around flowering (R1-20d,R1-10d, R1, R1+10d, R1+20d). A pattern of soil water variation during PC(R1-20d and R1-10d>R1 and R1>R1+10d and R1+20d) was repeated inmost agricultural scenarios. The time window from R1-10d to R1+10d showeda homogeneous association with R1 across the planting dates, regarding ofmaturity cycle of the crop. Position of PC varied within the region; however, soilwater was not different among locations in most of scenarios