Interaction Among Genotypes of Maize Hybrids, Locations and Water Optimization Furthered By Soil Water Retention Technology (SWRT).

Soil water retention technology (SWRT) is a new long-term approach developed by Michigan State University to maintain optimal soil water, nutrient and oxygen contents in plant root zones of sandy loam soils for maximum sustainable crop production. SWRT membranes self-drain during excess rainfall and save up to 10 cm per hectare of irrigation water for maize. Collaborative soil physics and engineering research at MSU, has developed and field tested a sustainable and often remarkable improvements in plant production that range from 37% to 238% beyond irrigated and non-irrigated controls.

The objectives of this project were 1. To determine if implementing SWRT membranes in different environmental and soil conditions impact grain yield. 2. To determine if increasing water holding capacity by implementing the SWRT membranes has improved the ethanol yield in maize grain. Field testing was done at Sand Hill horticulture farm in East Lansing (Michigan) in years 2013, 2014 and 2015. Soil consisted predominantly of a sandy loam. Treatments included rain-fed control, Irrigated and Irrigated SWRT. The effect of “year” was significant in most of the observations. Significant treatment (SWRT vs. Control) as well as a year by treatment interaction was observed. Irrigation along with SWRT membrane has improved the grain yield. Ethanol yield doubled in maize growing on irrigated SWRT membranes compared to rain fed control.. Integrating this technology into the high fertility and modern production practices of maize on sandy soils will bring more acres into highly profitable production while protecting the environment.