The objective of this study was to evaluate different water depths applied as supplemental irrigation in the cycle of "safrinha" corn under no-tillage systems, and their influence on the physiology, productivity and economical viability in the area of Dourados, MS. The work was accomplished in the Experimental Nucleus of Agrarian Sciences in Great Dourados Region, UFGD, in the period from March to September, 2005. For the analysis of the data the following physiologic characteristics were determined: leaf area, height of ear insertion, plant height, ear dry matter, total dry matter and mass of 100 grains. The productivity of grains was determined correcting the water content for 13%. The treatments with supplemental irrigation were of 160, 360, 410 and 510 mm. In the calculation of economical viability, the financial indexes were used for the cost of production of the "safrinha" corn in 2005, and the tariffs of energy ratified in the ANEEL nº 74. The results lead to the following conclusions: the increment of the applied water depths promoted linear increases in the physiology of the plant; the supplemental irrigation was essential to increase the productivity of the "safrinha" corn; and the largest productivity of the "safrinha" corn did not result in greater net income.
water deficits; crop; evapotranspiration
