Technical and Economic Analysis of Drip Irrigation System (Surface and Subsurface) in Grain Maize Cultivation under Different Irrigation Levels

Limited water resources indicate the need for optimal use of water in the agricultural sector. One of the best ways to use water is to apply deficit irrigation in modern irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation.

In this study, in order to technically and economically analyze the drip irrigation system (surface and subsurface) in the cultivation of grain maize under different levels of irrigation, an experiment in the form of split-plot and randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Orzooieh region of Kerman province in 2019. The treatments included three potential levels (I1= 35, I2 =50, I3=65   cm to start irrigation) as the main factor and two drip irrigation systems (surface = S1 and subsurface = S2) as the secondary factor.

The results showed that the highest volume of water use, crop yield, number of grain rows per maize, and number of grains per row were 9430 m3 per hectare, 11.32 tons per hectare, 23.45, and 48.85, respectively, in 35 centibar treatment applied in the subsurface drip irrigation system.Discussion and

While the water used efficiency in the 50 centibar treatment applied in the subsurface drip irrigation system was about 4% higher than the above-mentioned treatment, but the economic analysis showed that this treatment is in the C position. Therefore, according to the economic analysis, it is suggested that the potential point of 35 centibar applied in the subsurface drip irrigation system be used in grain maize cultivation.