This study was conducted in the experimental area of ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, SP, to investigate and to quantify in terms of percentage of total irrigation water applied by center pivot, corresponding to flow through corn stem (Ec), interception by crop canopy (INT) and internal precipitation (PI). For the analysis, plastic recipients were fixed to the corn stem and pools (gutters on two sides of the plant row) were installed at three different heights (inferior, medium and superior part of the plant) in relation to the soil. The mean values of PI, INT and Ec for the heights of 0 and 0.25 m were 85.57 and 88.31%, 6.56 and 5.57%, and 7.87 and 6.12%, respectively, for leaf area index (LAI) equivalent to 3. For the LAI = 4.35 the largest observed values of PI, INT and Ec were 83.93, 6.89 and 13.44%, respectively, for the heights studied. The increase in height for water collection in relation to the soil level caused an increment in values of internal precipitation and stem flow, and a reduction in the values of leaf interception.
water interception; water retention; canopy; Zea mays L.
