1. Irrigation and soil moisture- Normal Irrigation
36hour pass from 6/8 leaf stage then continue
these until Day 90
Guidelines - Determining When To Stop
Irrigation In Corn Pivots
Introduction- Currently irrigation is turned off at the denting stage or just before but the kernel reaches
only 75% of its potential weight at this stage. At this stage, losses up to 20% can be expected, especially
if hot weather along with low soil moisture.
Methodology - Samples are collected every 2 days from separate plots after the grains started to
dimple (day 82). We had two trial plots; the 1st plot we continued irrigation until harvest. The 2nd plot we
Irrigated until we reached 96 days from drilling. Both plots the irrigation was controlled at 8hours off per
day after 90 days from drilling.
Samples were collected and dried. The moisture and thousand grains weight were recorded
Pictures of Grain Maturity
Recommendations
Relationship between thousand grain weight, Irrigation and days from drilling
Irrigation Control Timings
At day 90 3 hours per day
At day 94 8 hours per day
At day 98 10 hours per day until day 102
When to Stop Irrigation Taking Into Account The
Ambient Temperature (oC)
1. Water Off Day 96/98 if less 30oC. Moisture will last
7/10 days in the soil.
2. Water Off Day 100 if below 34oC . Moisture will last
5/6 days in the soil.
3. Water Off Day 102 if above 34oC . Moisture will last
3/4 days in the soil