Journal Article
Growth Dynamics, Yield, Economic Viability and Water Use Indicators of Forage Plants Under Different Irrigation Depths
Agda Raiany Mota dos Santos; Kaique Renan da Silva Salvador; José Edson Florentino de Morais; Carlos André Alves de Souza; Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz Jardim; Cleber Pereira Alves; José Geraldo Eugênio de França; Luiz Guilherme Medeiros Pessoa; Gustavo Laurindo da Silva; Fleming Sena Campos; João Pedro Alves de Souza Santos; Enio Farias de França e Silva; Glayciane Costa Gois; Luciana Sandra Bastos de Souza; Maurício Luiz de Mello Vieira Leite; Thieres George Freire da Silva
Irrigation and Drainage · Vol. 74, Issue 4 · pp. 1638-1662 · 2025
Abstract
The lack of water in semi‐arid areas presents challenges for agriculture, making it necessary to adopt strategies that optimise the use of this water resource. This study evaluated the effects of irrigation level on the growth, productivity, economic viability and water use indicators of different forage species in the semi‐arid region of Brazil. The study was carried out in two production cycles, with a bifactorial arrangement for pasture grasses (Buffel, Aruana and BRS Kurumi) and for silage (Sorghum and BRS Capiaçu) and a unifactorial arrangement for the protein source species (Pornunça). Irrigation depths of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration (ET o ) were imposed. The growth rates showed linear and quadratic behaviour in the two cycles evaluated, with growth peaking at irrigation depths between 50% and 75% of the ET o . Only BRS Kurumi was influenced by irrigation depth in the first cycle. For the silage grasses, only BRS Capiaçu was influenced in the first cycle, with 100% irrigation depth standing out. In the second cycle, the 100% irrigation depth favoured the dry matter yields of BRS Capiaçu and Sorghum. Irrigation should be adjusted according to the time of year for better water utilisation.