Determining Consumptive Water Use for Corn Cultivation at High Altitudes: A Comparative Study of Three Methods

Abstract

A desirable water supply in agriculture requires quantitative methods to determine crop requirements. De-termination of hydric request of maize Var INIAP 102 is promising, mainly at altitudes over 2000 meters above sea level. This study analyzed three methods (lysimeter, evaporimeter tank, and empiric formula FAO) to determine Chimborazo province's hydric requirements for Var INIAP 102. Vegetative and yield variables were recorded, and the effect of different water films on the vegetative growth of maize was de-termined. When water was more available in the soil, the vegetative growth, yield, and pod weight per plant of maize Var INIAP 102 were higher. This study is of great importance because determining the hydric requirement of maize Var INIAP 102 was done for the first time in Chimborazo province and will support farmers in better water use for irrigation. Keywords: irrigation sheet, lysimeter, sweet corn, water requirements, evaporation tank