EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF HIGH TEMPERATURES ON RAINFED CORN IN JALISCO, MEXICO

Maize (Zea mays L.) produced under rainfed conditions is the main crop in Mexico and Jalisco has the highest grain yield, with wide variation at the municipal level.This yield variability is attributed to the level of intensification of production systems, local environmental conditions, establishment of the crop on unsuitable land, with consequent soil degradation and loss of productivity, profitability and yield.Climate is a source of yield variation, particularly due to high ambient temperatures.This characteristic needs to be evaluated as a limiting factor for corn in Jalisco.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of environmental temperature on rainfed maize in Jalisco, Mexico.Monthly normal data for the period June to November of maximum and minimum temperature from 130 climatological stations in Jalisco were used.The concept of meteorological equivalents was applied to calculate the Thermal Efficiency (TE).The TE was obtained by rating the maximum and minimum temperatures in the growing season (EC) of Jalisco.With this rating a Thermal Index was obtained, with which the ET of corn in the EC was determined, which was mapped with Ar-cView GIS and Idrisi selva.The effect of ET on corn yield was evaluated with corn data from 2009 and 2010.The results showed the in the period with a value of 91.8%, which identifies it with high category.The in the period was 96.7%, identified with high category.These results indicate that corn in Jalisco has high thermal efficiency, only the coastal region has medium TE.It was found that ET currently has minimal influence on grain yield, but probably in the long term the increase in temperature due to climate change will evolve into a limiting factor for corn