The objective of the research is to develop and substantiate irrigation regimes and technologies for grain maize using sprinkling machine Reinke-A-100. Field study was carried out in 2013–2014 in the farm “Svetlagorskoye” of Bagayevskiy district of the Rostov region. Analysis of the research results at experimental-production plots (EPP) enables to determine that in 2013 irrigation regime included seven vegetative irrigation events, irrigation requirement was 3040 m³/ha; in 2014 there were six vegetative irrigation events, irrigation requirement was equal to 2400 m³/ha. Total water consumption of crops was studied, coefficient of water consumption was determined. The impact of irrigation on dynamics of linear growth, vegetative phase, and yield was established. Total water consumption for grain maize in 2013 at EPP was 4266 m³/ha, at industrial plots (IP) – 3984 m³/ha that was by 282 m³/ha lower than at EPP; in 2014 at EPP – 3507 m³/ha, at IP – 3278 m³/ha that was by 229 m³/ha lower comparing to EPP. Coefficients of water consumption for grain maize at EPP and IP were varied significantly. In the latter, coefficient of water consumption was significantly higher. At EPP the higher yield of grain maize comparing to IP were observed, in 2013 the yield increase was 1.0 t/ha, or 12.7 %; in 2014 – 1.2 t/ha, or 11.9 % respectively. The main portion in total water consumption structure of the crop considered had irrigation requirement, then precipitations, and soil productive moisture used by plants. The results obtained allow asserting that maintaining of the required moisture content in active soil layer 0–60 cm for grain maize were done through vegetative irrigation events, and the yield was in direct relation to the values of irrigation requirement.
Keywords: grain maize, vegetative irrigation events, irrigation rate, irrigation requirements, irrigation regime, soil moisture, vegetative phase, biological yield, total water consumption, soil moisture reserves, coefficient of water consumption.
