The Effect of Plant Density and Irrigation Regime on Net Income of Sweet Corn
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effect of two plant density (low: 57000 and high: 95000 plant ha-1) and three irrigation levels (all of the water evaporated from a class A pan (Epan): 3/3 Epan, 2/3 Epan, and 1/3 Epan) on the net income of sweet corn. Field experiments were carried out with the Challenger F1 sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) variety in Bursa conditions in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2017. As a result of study, the amount of irrigation water applied to the experimental treatments via a drip irrigation system varied between 148 and 444 mm. Relatively higher average fresh ear yield (20.76 t ha-1) was obtained at high plant density under different irrigation levels. On the other hand, the average yield of 3/3 Epan irrigation treatment (22.59 t ha-1) under different plant density was found to be statistically higher (P<0.05) compared to other irrigation levels. With the decrease in irrigation level, the fresh ear yield also decreased. The total production costs, including the application of water by drip irrigation system were determined to vary between 2743 and 3000 US$ ha-1. The highest net income per unit area was obtained from the treatment 3/3 Epan irrigation at high plant density with 1846 US$ ha-1, followed by the treatment 2/3 Epan. Net income per unit area at low plant density ranged from 350 to 1292 US$ ha-1. The decrease in the irrigation level decreased the income per unit area. The net income values obtained in return for the unit irrigation water amount were determined as the lowest being 0.24 US$ m-3 for 1/3 Epan irrigation treatment and low plant density, while the highest was determined as 0.50 US$ m-3 for 2/3 Epan irrigation treatment and high plant density. According to the results obtained from the experiment, under 95000 plant ha-1 when there is a land restriction, the irrigation regime in which all the evaporated water from the A class pan is taken as a reference, and in the areas with irrigation water restriction, 2/3 Epan irrigation regime can be recommended.
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