Water productivity of micro and furrow irrigation systems in single and two-row planting systems of grain Maize

Water is the most important agricultural constraints and has to use wisely. three fields experiment were conducted at the Safiabad, West Azerbaijan (Miandoab Station) and Gazvin Agricultural Research and Natural Resources centers to study water productivity of furrow and micro irrigation systems (strips of drip tape irrigation) and single-row and two-row planting systems of grain corn SC 704. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks arranged in Strip Split Plots with three replications for three years (2005-2007). Irrigation treatments were placed in vertical plots and planting array of different densities plant was placed in horizontal plots in form of split plots. The vertical plots were comprised of four irrigation treatments, including: three levels (80%, 100% and 120%) of water requirement by use of drip tape irrigation and 100% of water requirement in furrow irrigation. The horizontal factor was planting array in the form of single-row and two-row planting and the (secondary) sub factor was comprised of three levels; 75, 90 and 105 thousand plants per hectare. In this research the impact of different factors on the grain yield, dry biomass and water productivity were studied. The results showed that in irrigation treatments the water productivity in drip tape irrigation of 80 and 100% had greatest values, but in furrow irrigation treatments it had the least value. The grain yield in drip tape irrigation 100% of water requirement had the greatest value and the biomas at 120% of water requirement it had the greatest value. In terms of the interaction between planting array and density, yield in the single row planting at 75000 plants per hectar and in two-row planting with 90000 plants per hectare had the greatest value. Drip irrigation tape increases the water productivity significantly and to achieve maximum grain yield should be provide 100% of the water requirement of maize but In terms of water supply constraints as the reduction of the product can be supplied up to 80% of the crop water requirement.