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The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the water deficit effects on maize yield and yield components. The maize hybrid Pioneer 30F33 was submitted to five irrigation water management treatments. Irrigation management was based on crop maximum evapotranspiration (ETm). Irrigations were applied when cumulative ETm reached values of 14, 22, 30, 38 and 46 mm. The experiment was conducted on a set of 20 drainage lysimeters under a mobile rain shelter. Leaf area index and plant height were measured twice a weak in each treatment from 29 days after emergency to harvest. Soil moisture were measure in each soil layer (0-20; 20-40; 40-53; 53-66 and 66-100 cm), twice a weak. Results of leaf area and plant height were similar during crop growing season for all irrigation strategies and aboveground biomass accumulation at harvest was also similar for all treatments. Maximum technical maize yield was obtained applying irrigation when cumulative ETm reached value of the 34 mm. Total irrigation depth applied was 264, 281, 278, 279, and 282 mm using irrigation management of 14, 22, 30, 38 e 46 mm of cumulative ETm. The use of irrigation application based on cumulative ETm values in Southern Brazil results in a easier practice to increase water use efficiency, increase maize yield and reduce application cost.