Analysis of maize growth for different irrigation strategies in northeastern Spain

Water availability is the key factor determining maize yields in NE Spain. Irrigation is needed to obtain economic yields but it is costly and water supply is sometimes insufficient. The aim of this research was to test a simple simulation model for evaluating different irrigation strategies, especially under water-limited conditions. The LINTUL model was adapted and parameterized using experimental data from the 1995 season. Most parameters were obtained from experiments, although some were taken from the literature. This model is based on the concept of light use efficiency, incorporates a soil water balance and simulates phenology, crop leaf area, biomass accumulation and yield. It was tested on independent data from the 1995 and 1996 seasons under different irrigation treatments. The model predicted the flowering date within +/-5 days of the observed values, Leaf area index was predicted satisfactorily, except under extreme water-stress conditions, where it was overestimated. In general, soil moisture content and yield were accurately predicted. In the 1996 experiment measured yields ranged from 6.4 to 13.6 t ha(-1) and simulated yields from 6.5 to 12.2 t ha(-1). These results show that the LINTUL model can be used as a tool for exploring the consequences on maize yields of different irrigation strategies in NE Spain. Analysis of the model identified a process that strongly affects yield loss due to drought, but for which present understanding is still insufficient: the effects of drought on leaf senescence and canopy architecture. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.