Impacts of Irrigation Technology, Irrigation Rate, and Drought-Tolerant Genetics on Silage Corn Production

Many studies have examined individual water-saving management practices for corn (Zea mays L.), but few studies have looked at how combinations of practices might further enhance water optimization. The research objectives of this paper were to evaluate the impact of irrigation technology, irrigation rate, and crop genetics, as well as their interactions, on silage corn yield and forage quality. Trials were conducted in three Utah locations from 2019 through 2021. The results from five site-years indicated that the best water optimization practices varied by site-year. Low-elevation sprinklers commonly applied water more efficiently, with four of the five site-years having improved or equivalent yield compared to mid-elevation sprinklers. Irrigation rate reductions and yield losses were not proportional, as a 25% irrigation reduction resulted in better silage quality and a 7% average yield loss across site-years. Further, targeted deficit irrigation (less water during vegetation and more during maturation) was inferior to a uniform deficit during all growth stages. Drought-tolerant genetics often maintained but did not improve yield in extreme water stress environments compared to non-DT genetics. No cumulative benefits were observed when combining irrigation technology, rate, and DT genetics. Irrigation technology had the greatest potential of the three factors to optimize water use in silage corn production in the Western U.S. region

Guide to Drought Tolerance of Utah Field Crops

Crop variety selection is one of the most important choices on the farm. Crop genetics determine a significant portion of the yield potential and resource use efficiency. Crop types and genetics that use water more efficiently will become increasingly important as water becomes scarcer. Throughout Utah and the Western United States, water availability is decreasing due to various factors, including reduced snowpack and rapid urban growth. Alfalfa, other hay, small grains, and corn are grown on more acres than any other crops in Utah and much of the Intermountain West. These crops all have varieties, hybrids, and cultivars with the potential for more efficient water use while mitigating yield loss. Navigating these options and understanding various mechanisms and effectiveness can be a challenge. This guide will address some of the primary mechanisms, options, and effectiveness of crop genetics for improved water use efficiency

Sorghum-Sudangrass Production Guide

Sudex is a warm-season forage crop that performs well in Utah’s dry climate due to its drought tolerance. It can be especially useful during drought years or when irrigation supplies are limited. As well as being a high-quality feed, Sudex has many benefits, including weed suppression and soil-building properties. Although there are concerns for prussic acid and nitrate poisoning, these concerns can be reduced and often eliminated with proper management. This fact sheet provides information to producers about using Sudex and best production practices. Much of the information may also apply to forage sorghum and a few of the major differences will be noted throughout

Irrigation and Crop Management Combination Influences on Silage Corn Production

Unsteady global markets, erratic weather patterns, rising input costs, and depleting natural resources require agriculturalists to find innovative solutions to counter the changes. The natural resource of most concern in the Intermountain West is water. Urban sprawl, limiting winter snowpack, watershed depletions, and drought persistence pressure the need to optimize and conserve water in agriculture. Water is becoming the limiting factor for growers, making water use optimization of water use a necessity. Numerous management practices have water-saving capabilities or allow for water to be used during more efficient times of the growing season. These include advanced pivot technologies, drought-tolerant crop genetics, tillage practices, and cover crop usage. Various studies show these individual practices can help optimize water use, yet few, if any, studies have evaluated how these various combinations might combine or stack to optimize water use or their effects on yield and quality. Field studies were established in 2019 near Logan, Utah, and repeated in 2020, Vernal, Utah in 2020 and 2021, and Cedar City, Utah in 2021. These sites tested how four pivot sprinkler technologies, four irrigation rates, crop genetics, and soil management influence silage corn (Zea mays) production. Data results from the five site years will be presented. Preliminary results show that no single combination is perfect across all the sites