Maize response to coupled irrigation and nitrogen fertilization under center pivot, subsurface drip and surface (furrow) irrigation: Growth, development and productivity

Water availability and water quality problems negatively impact agricultural productivity due to improper nitrogen (N) irrigation management, which can also affect environmental services. Coupled N management practices must be developed practiced for alleviating these challenges. Investigating crop growth development yield response coupled under different methods aid in developing optimum agronomic enhance production efficiency. Field experiments were conducted 2016 2017 growing seasons measure compare maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, leaf area index (LAI), plant height (and their relationships), stem diameter application timing treatments traditional [center pivot (CP), subsurface drip (SDI), furrow (FI)]. The levels full treatment (FIT or 100%), 80% of FIT, 60% rainfed conditions (RFT) with fertigation treatments. were: (i) (TN) spring pre-plant application, (ii) non-traditional-1 (NT-1) three pre-season in-season applications, (iii) non-traditional-2 (NT-2) four pre- applications. Grain LAI, significantly (p < 0.05) altered by increasing the non-traditional given method as well between same treatment. had a substantial influence on both CP SDI 24% higher averaged LAI than FI across highest yields observed NT-1 NT-2 at FIT methods. 17.3, 16.8 15.2 Mg ha-1 100% NT-1-CP, 100%-NT-1-SDI, T-FI season, respectively; 17.8, 16.7 14 100%-NT-2-SDI, respectively. showed (8.1% 25.5% 2017, respectively). 8.1% 23% seasons, SDI; SDI. There was no significant difference > NT-2. However, TN-1 yielded 4.3% method. an effective practice level Results analyses presented here provide guidance growers advisors assess strategies soil, climatic similar those this research.