Supplemental irrigation using brackish water on maize in tropical semi-arid regions of Brazil: yield and economic analysis

ABSTRACT: Supplemental irrigation during dry spells could reduce maize yield losses in tropical semi-arid regions, notably small farms. However, good quality water reserves are not sufficient to meet the demands of farming communities. Consequently, our objective was evaluate productivity and profitability under different simulated rainfall scenarios, with without supplemental (SI) brackish water. The field experiments were carried out cropping seasons 2018 2019 on Ultisol. experiment followed a randomized block design split-plot scheme four replicates. plots formed by simulating supply soil corresponding scenarios (rainy, normal, drought severe drought), sub-plots or SI (Electrical conductivity 4.5 dS m?1). Mean yields green ears 13,083, 11,532, 10,358 9,609 kg ha?1 for rainy, as supplemented For same treatments values 11,394, 7,896, 3,913 1,374 ha?1, respectively. Data farmer's income showed that supplementation becomes economically advantageous from 0.9, 1.0 2.4 ha, respectively, while cultivation is last two scenarios. conditions, however, using reduced commercial 27 % negative effects farmers’ profitability. In this case, it necessary use either lower salinity select salt tolerant crops.