Irrigation method and nitrogen placement effect on maize (Zea mays L.) yield

Irrigation methods and nitrogen placement effect on maize (Zea nays L.) yield was determined at the Agronomic Research Area University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during autumn season, 2001. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement using three replications. Net plot size was 3.6 x 7.5 m. Two factors viz. irrigation methods (flood irrigation, furrow irrigation and alternate furrow irrigation) and broadcasting of N (I2N1); furrow irrigation and band placement of N (I2N2); alternate furrow irrigation and broadcasting of N (I3N1); alternate furrow irrigation and band placement of N (I3N2). The maize crop was sown on 6th of August, 2001 in 90 cm apart double row strips by dibbling method, using seed rate of 30 kg ha-1. Fertilizer was applied @ 200 and 100 kg NP ha- 1. Full dose of phosphorus was applied at the time of sowing in the form of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP). Nitrogen was applied in three splits i.e. 1/3 at the time of sowing 1/3 at knee height and 1/3 at tasseling stage in the form of Urea according to nitrogen treatments: Irrigation to each plot was applied using a cut throat flumes (3' 8 size) installed in the water' course. The time required to fill the plot and flow rate were recorded to estimate the, amount of water applied-to each plot. The depth of water applied to each plot was calculated using the following formula: d = Qt/A Where `d' is the depth in inches, `Q' is the discharge in cusses 't' is the time in hours and 'A' is the area in acres. The amount of water applied, however, varied according to time taken under each method of irrigation. All other agronomic practices were kept normal and uniform for all the treatments. The crop was, harvested on 8th November, 2001. The salient findings of research are summarized as under; Among different irrigation methods significantly the more plant height (182. cm), leaf area plant (5311.26 cm-2) and seasonal CG was recorded by furrow irrigation method while in case of nitrogen placement, band placement gave significantly higher values of these parameters. Furrow irrigation and flood irrigation methods gave significantly higher average NAR 8.80 and 8.78g m-2d- 1, respectively than alternate furrow irrigation method while N application by band placement NAR. Days taken to tasseling and silking were significantly delayed in case of flood irrigation and furrow irrigation methods than alternate furrow irrigation method while band placement of N significantly delayed these parameters. Number of grains and grain weight cob-1 were significantly the irrigation -method while band placement of N gave significantly higher number of grains and grain weight cob-1 Significantly the highest 1000-grain weight, grain yield, stover yield and HI value were recorded in furrow irrigation and band placement of N. Furrow irrigation method produced grains with significantly the highest oil content while broadcast method of N produced grains were significantly higher oil content, while reverse was true for crude protein content.