Agrotechnology

Abstract

Effects of Growth Stage Based Deficit Irrigation on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth Parameters at Koka, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Ayele Debebe*

Deficit irrigation is an optimization strategy in which irrigation is applied during drought-sensitive growth stages of a crop. Field experiment was carried out at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center Koka Research site, to investigate the effect of growth stage based deficit irrigation on maize growth parameters. One optimum irrigation and eight growth stage based deficit levels were imposed on maize (Zea mays L.) variety Melkassa II as a treatment and laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that the different levels of growth stage based deficit levels had significant (p<0.01) effects on maize growth parameters. Growth parameters reduced with increased stress. Plant height, ear height, leaf length, leaf width, cob length, cob diameter and leaf area index were shortened from 193.5 cm to 161.9 cm, 92.3 cm to 77.9 cm, 77.6 cm to 62.1 cm, 9.3 cm to 7.5 cm, 17.4 cm to 11.7 cm, 16.2 cm to 12.6 cm², and 252.2 cm² to 163 cm², respectively, due to reduction of irrigation water from 100% ETC (Ethereum Classic Coin) to 50% ETC at all growth stages. Reductions of irrigation water from 100% ETC to 50% ETC at all growth stages and mid growth stages have an effect on all the recorded growth parameters of maize. However, Reduction of irrigation water from 100% ETC to 50% ETC at development and late growth stage has no` that much effect on the recorded growth parameters of maize as compared to mid growth stages. Therefore, maize could be irrigated at 75% ETC at all growth stages and by stressing development or late growth stages up to 50% ETC for stressed scenario and for non-stressed scenario with 100% ETC at all growth stages.

Published Date: 2023-12-04; Received Date: 2023-11-02