Effect of Irrigation Methods and Regimes on Maize (Zea Mays L.) growth

* Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141 004 Abstract: Different irrigation methods and regimes affect maize (Zea Mays L.) growth differently. The field experiment was conducted to study the interactive effect of three irrigation methods and three irrigation regimes on maize growth under sandy loam soil at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The irrigation methods includes drip, furrow and ridge while, the three irrigation regimes includes IW/PAN-E ratio of 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 under furrow and ridge and 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 under drip irrigation. The maize plant height (cm) was observed to be more under drip irrigated plots (251.4) followed by furrow irrigated (225.2) and ridge (214.5) irrespective of irrigation regimes. The root length density was observed to be more in surface soil layer (0-10 cm) under drip irrigated beds, while at lower soil depths higher root length density was observed in furrow irrigation. The highest thousand grain weight of 255.0 g was observed in drip irrigated plots followed by furrow irrigated (242.9 g) and ridge method (228.3 g). Irrespective of irrigation methods, highest thousand maize grain weight (g) were recorded at IW/PAN-E ration I3 i.e. 258.1 followed by I2 (241.6) and I1 (226.6). The maize stover yield (t ha-1) was also observed to be higher under drip irrigation (13.0) as compared to furrow (11.3) and ridge (9.9) irrigation. Root length density was observed to be higher at surface soil layer under drip irrigation, while the reverse was true under furrow irrigation at sub surface soil layer.