AgroTerra improves the production technology of corn hybrids with a water balance model

The company improves the production technology of corn hybrids produced on the irrigated fields to increase the yields.  With this goal AgroTerra has implemented a better control over the quality and timing of agricultural operations performed in the fields. Additionally, the company has incorporated modern machinery and employed a water balance model.  In 2022, these comprehensive changes have resulted in a remarkable 12% increase in yields of earlier-produced corn hybrids.

The water balance model played a significant role in driving these positive results. It was jointly developed by AgroTerra and the Institute of Amelioration, water management and construction named after A.N. Kostyakov. The model processes multiple soil parameters, crop characteristics, weather conditions, and other factors. Its purpose is to define and maintain the optimal moisture level for crops.  

“The model helps us to calculate the amount of water required for each field. If you imagine the soil as a glass filled with water, we ensure that the water level in the glass remains optimal, allowing the plants to draw the necessary amount of water from it. This approach also enhances a way more efficient resource management”, explains Alexander Stesenko, project manager of the hybrid seed production department.    

The company’s irrigation system already operates on more than 3,600 hectares of land in the Solntsevsky and Gorshechensky districts of the Kursk region. The water balance model is used to regulate the irrigation in this area, which allows not only to increase corn hybrid yields, but also to optimize water usage in production.