Agro Physiological Characteristics of QPM Genotypes As Influenced by Irrigation and Plant Population in a Semi Arid Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Maize is the agronomic grass species that is most sensitive to variations in plant population. An experiment was conducted to assess the response of agrophysiological characters of QPM genotypes to plant population under irrigated conditions in a semi arid ecology of Northern Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at the Irrigation Research Station, Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa (11⁰ 39’N, 08^o 20’E) and 500m above sea level) during 2007, 2008 and 2009 dry seasons to study the effect of (Zea mays L.) genotypes (TZE-W Pop X 1368, EV-DT W99 STR and DMR-ESRW), four plant population (33,333, 44,444, 55,555 and 66,666 plants ha^-1) and three irrigation scheduling (40, 60 and 80 centibars soil moisture tension) on the growth and yield of quality protein maize. A split plot design was used with combinations of genotypes and irrigation regimes assigned to the main plot and plant population assigned to the sub-plot. The treatments were replicated three times. The study revealed that genotype EV-DT W99 STR had significantly higher relative growth rate, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate. Increase in plant population significantly decreased leaf area index and net assimilation rate. Delayed irrigation significantly depressed total dry matter production. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the use of genotype EV-DT W99 STR, at 60 centibars irrigation scheduling and 55,555 plants ha^-1 had resulted in good agrophysiological characters of QPM at Kadawa.

Keywords: Quality protein maize genotypes, plant population, irrigation, agrophysiological characteristics