Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch on Soil Physical Properties, Growth and Yield of Maize

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation and mulch levels on soil physical properties and growth and yield of maize crop. The experiment comprised of two irrigation levels, i.e. I1: 558.8 mm and I2: 711.2 mm while two mulch levels, i.e. M0: no mulch and M15: 15 Mg ha. Soil samples were collected from 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm depths before sowing and at crop harvest. The samples were analyzed for soil physical, i.e. bulk density, field saturated hydraulic conductivity (mm hr), and infiltration rate (mm hr) and chemical parameters, i.e. SOC concentration, soil NPK and plant NPK.. The results of this study showed that the maximum increase in plant height (11.39 %), biological yield (29.56 %) and grain yield (35.5 %) was observed with treatment combination I2×M15 as compared to control. In case of soil physical properties, the maximum mean value of infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity was observed 19.4 and 88.33 mm hr with treatment combination I2×M15, respectively while minimum mean value of infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity was recorded 12.4 and 32.56 mm hr with treatment combination I1×M0, respectively. Soil bulk density decreased by increasing the mulch rate and minimum value of 1.44 Mg m observed at 0-10 cm depth with treatment combination I2×M15. In case of soil chemical properties, the treatment combination I2×M15 showed highest value of SOC, soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that was 0.55 g kg, 0.64 g kg, 15.48 ppm and 144.67 ppm, respectively.