Assessment of a Large Subsurface Controlled Drainage and Irrigation System: II. Corn Performance

Abstract Controlled subsurface drainage irrigation systems have been designed to promote agronomic production by optimizing water availability. In a previous manuscript we described the design of a 40 ha controlled subsurface drainage irrigation system, the soil resource and indicated the soil water properties. In this manuscript we describe the performance of corn (Zea mays L.) using a controlled subsurface drainage/irrigation system, with a focus on nutrient uptake at black layer formation. In a subsequent manuscript we will describe nutrient concentrations from tile drain effluents and note their potential impact on surface water resources. Crop yields using the controlled subsurface drainage/irrigation system substantially increased grain yields in 2008, 2011 and 2012 relative to previous corn production prior to the installation of the controlled subsurface drainage/irrigation system. Nutrient uptake (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, B, Cu, and Zn) was partitioned into leaf blades (blades), leaf sheaths (...