Grain maize production under drip irrigation in Ukraine and worldwide

Abstract

Drip irrigation can improve the stability and resource efficiency of grain maize production when water supply is coordinated with crop development and field management. This review examines the agronomic principles of maize production under surface and subsurface drip irrigation and their applicability to Ukrainian conditions. The synthesis integrates evidence on soil management, crop rotation, hybrid maturity, sowing, plant density, mineral nutrition, fertigation, crop protection, and harvesting. Irrigation performance depends on the spatial distribution of soil moisture, root access to water and the timing of supply during yield formation. Subsurface systems require particular attention to seedbed moisture and crop establishment, whereas both irrigation configurations depend on spatially consistent water delivery across the field. Hybrid maturity and plant density influence the duration and intensity of water demand, canopy development, and grain moisture at harvest. Their selection therefore needs to reflect the growing season, available water, and the expected harvest window. Fertigation supports efficient nutrient use when application rates and timing account for soil nutrient supply, root distribution, and crop uptake. Excessive irrigation or nitrogen application can increase losses without a corresponding yield benefit. Avoiding water stress during flowering and early kernel development is especially important because later irrigation may not fully compensate for reduced kernel set. Weed control and the management of pests and diseases help preserve the plant stand, functional leaf area, and grain quality under irrigation. Harvest timing and drying requirements, in turn, determine the proportion of the crop recovered as marketable grain and its economic value. Differences among soils, hybrids, and seasonal weather explain why favourable irrigation and fertilisation regimes remain specific to the production environment. Adaptation of drip irrigation should consequently be based on integrated field assessment of grain yield and quality, water and nutrient productivity, environmental losses, and net return. Coordinating these components throughout crop development provides a practical basis for improving irrigated maize production while avoiding inefficient use of water and fertilisers.