Influence of Different Irrigation Scheduling Practices on The Growth and Yield Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) Variety

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of the effect of some selected deficit irrigation scheduling practices on irrigated maize crop. Field Experiment was carried out during the 2013-14 to assess the influence of different irrigation scheduling on maize yield. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used, with three replicates. Three irrigation Intervals were implemented T¹=2 irrigations (1^st 25 Days after Sowing and 2^nd, 55 days after sowing, T²=3 irrigations 1^st, 20 days after sowing, 2^nd, 40 days and 3^rd, 60 days after sowing, T³=4 irrigations 1^st 20 days after sowing 2^nd 35 days, 3^rd 50 and 4^th 65 days after sowing. The results shown that maize yield varied significantly (P<0.05) under different irrigation scheduling. The treatment T² resulted the best, plant height (173 cm), the number of green leaves (12.08), stem width (4.01 cm), and fodder yield (30580 kg.ha^-1) Whereas T³ resulted in the finest seed germination (86.91%). Finally, T² irrigation Interval was recorded effective to produce a higher fodder yield in maize and the farmers may assume this treatment to acquire high fodder production from maize.

Keywords: Maize, Variety, Irrigation Scheduling, Practices, Performance, growth and yield