Least limiting water range under no-tillage system and maize grain yield

Abstract

The water content range where plants take water from the soil without any restriction is called the least limit­ing water range (LLWR). The adequate soil water availability of is intimating linked to the development and growth of plants. Soil management that promotes greater water storage and water availability in soil has been widely studied and published to enable higher productivity. The aim of the present study was to deter­mine the LLWR of a Hapludox under no-tillage, the chiseling effect on the property, and relate it to the soil water content variation of the field and the influence on grain yield. The following parameters were measured: bulk density, LLWR, soil water retention, variation of water storage, and biometric parameters of maize and maize grain yield. Concluded that the LLWR and the number of days the soil water content remained within the LLWR was higher under no-tillage chiseled, and greater maize grain yield.