IMPLANTATION SYSTEMS AND SURFACE IRRIGATION FOR MAIZE CROP IN LOWLAND AREAS

The raised seedbed implantation system and the use of surfaceirrigation can be important practices to enable rotation with rice and ensure the expression of the productive potential of maize in lowland areas. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of implantation systems and surface irrigation on agronomic characteristics and grain yield of maize crop in lowland areas. Two experiments were conducted in the experimental lowland area of the Federal University of Santa Maria – UFSM, during the 2014/15 crop season. The experiments consisted in the use of implantation systems with and without raised seedbeds and surface irrigation. The evaluated characteristics were plant height, shoot dry mass, leaf area index, yield components and grain yield. Plant height, leaf area index and shoot dry mass are higher when maize is grown in raised seedbeds in lowland areas. The raised seedbed system can be considered an efficient way to improve drainage in the cultivation area, resulting in a higher grain yield. The use of irrigation during periods of water deficit, in the critical period of crop growth, increases the grain yield of maize grown in lowland areas.