Effect of Irrigation Regimes and Mulching on the Crop Physiology and Yield of Rabi Maize (Zea mays)

Agriculture is a vital sector of India’s economy and plays significant role in providing food security, employment, contributing to the country’s overall development. Maize crucial crop within agriculture India. cultivation contributes diversification Indian agriculture. It serves as an alternative option for farmers, reducing dependence on traditional crops like rice wheat. Diversification helps maintaining soil health through rotation. A field experiment was conducted at Farm College Agricultural Engineering Technology, Godhra, Gujarat during year 2018-19, study influence drip irrigation regimes with mulching physiological development yield rabi maize (Zea mays L.) sandy loam region Middle Gujarat. The design split-split plot 36 treatment combinations 3 replications including three (1.0IW/CPE, 0.8IW/CPE 0.6IW/CPE), four mulch conditions (control, paddy straw, black plastic reflective silver mulch), stages (tasselling, silking dough stage). result revealed that consumption water increased, growth parameters, grain yield, its attributes increased significantly each higher level up 1.0 IW/CPE under all but 0.8 comparable mulch. nature scatters light, ensuring better light distribution throughout plant canopy. This can enhance photosynthesis promote more uniform growth. Black absorbs retains heat from sunlight, raising temperatures. advantageous cooler climates or early growing season, it promotes earlier germination, faster growth, improved productivity.