Furrow irrigation spacing effects on corn production in vertisols of the Mississippi Delta

Authors: FREELAND, TREY - Mississippi State University; GHOLSON, DREW - Mississippi State University; LO, TSZ HIM - Mississippi State University; SINGH, GURBIR - University Of Missouri; KAUR, GURPREET - University Of Missouri; LARSON, ERICK - Mississippi State University; CZARNECKI, JOBY M. PRINCE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/18/2024
Publication Date: 8/29/2024
Citation: Freeland, T., Gholson, D., Lo, T., Singh, G., Kaur, G., Larson, E., Czarnecki, J. 2024. Furrow irrigation spacing effects on corn production in vertisols of the Mississippi Delta. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management. 10, e20306. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20306.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20306

Interpretive Summary: In the Mississippi Delta, many soils known as vertisols have a unique characteristic that causes them to expand and shrink, making them prone to waterlogging when traditional furrow irrigation is used excessively. This can lead to lower corn yields and quality, which is a concern for local farmers. A recent study aimed to determine whether widening the spacing of furrows in irrigation while increasing the amount of water flowing into them could improve corn (Zea mays L.) yields and grain quality. Researchers conducted two studies—one at the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research and an on-farm study in Glen Allan, Mississippi—from 2021 to 2023. Various furrow spacings were tested, ranging from narrow (3.3 ft) to wide (26.7 ft). The results from the research station showed that using the widest offset of 26.7 ft increased corn yield by 8.5% and produced higher protein and kernel weight compared to narrower furrow spacings. Meanwhile, the on-farm study did not show significant differences in yields across different furrow spacings.This research provides valuable insights, indicating that farmers in the Mississippi Delta can safely widen their furrow irrigation spacing to 26.7 ft without compromising corn yields and grain quality. This finding contributes to better water management practices that can help mitigate waterlogging issues, ultimately supporting local agriculture and ensuring more sustainable farming in the region.

Technical Abstract: The majority of soils in the Mississippi Delta are vertisols, whose shrink–swell behavior makes them prone to waterlogging when subjected to excessive infiltration amounts from conventional management of furrow irrigation. The goal of this investigation was to examine if corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield and quality (test weight, kernel composition, and kernel weight) can be improved in vertisols of this region by widening furrow irrigation spacing while increasing furrow inflow rate proportionally to reduce waterlogging. A research station study at the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research and an on-farm study near Glen Allan, Mississippi, were conducted from 2021 to 2023. Furrow irrigation spacing treatments in the research station study included 3.3 ft, 6.7 ft, 13.3 ft, and 26.7 ft. The on-farm study included 10 ft, 20 ft, and “tractor track” (alternating between 10 and 30 ft furrow irrigation spacing) treatments. The three years of the research station study showed that the 26.7-ft treatment yielded 8.5% higher than the narrower treatments at the top position of the field (50–100 ft from the topographically higher end of 500 ft furrows). Higher grain protein and kernel weight were observed halfway between two irrigated furrows of the 13.3-ft and 26.7-ft treatments than adjacent to irrigated furrows of any treatment. Corn grain yield in the on-farm study was not significantly different among furrow irrigation spacing treatments. This research demonstrates that furrow irrigation spacing can be widened to at least 26.7 ft in vertisols of the Mississippi Delta without decreasing corn grain yield and quality.