INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITATION AND SOLAR RADIATION ON MAIZE YIELD IN THE VALLEY OF TOLUCA MÉXICO

Abstract

Environmental factors and their variation affect growth, development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in high valleys such as the Valley of Toluca, Mexico. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature, precipitation and radiation on the 2008, 2009, and 2010 crop cycles on the yield of six maize cultivars. The hypothesis was that temperature, precipitation and solar radiation in the Valley of Toluca will positively and significantly affect maize yield. The study was conducted in the Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Piedras Blancas (UAEMex). The data of the climate normals under study were obtained from the meteorological station of the Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Comisión Nacional del Agua, Calixtlahuaca Station, and the Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Agrícolas (UAEMex). These data were analyzed with ANOVA (p≤0.05), and the experimental design was completely randomized. Treatments were the years and three data of each variable were the replications. Results indicated that there were significant differences in precipitation, but differences in temperature and radiation were not significant. The highest precipitation (941.3 mm) occurred in 2008 and statistically surpassed that of 2009 (750 mm) and 2010 (579.3 mm). Rainfall was reduced in 2009 and 2010 by a 20.3 and a 38.4% decrease, compared to 2008. The greatest maize yield (1132.6 g m-2) was obtained in 2008 because greater availability of rainfall within the crop cycle coincided with grain fill; this was an effect of synchronization with the R3 and R6 phenological stages. Thus, we concluded that heterogeneity in precipitation limited maize yield, and also the extent of the crop cycle.