ffect of Deficit Irrigation on Yield and Water Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Desert Conditions, Northern State, Sudan

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive seasons
(2015/16 and 2016/17) at New Hamdab Research Station (Desert plain
soil)to investigate the response of deficit irrigation induced at different
growth stages of maize on yield and water productivity. Five irrigation
treatments were conducted, I1 (100% crop water requirement throughout
the season (control)), I2 (75% crop water requirement at vegetative
growth stage), I3(50% crop water requirement at vegetative growth stage),
I4 (75% crop water requirement at ripening stage) and I5 (50% crop water
requirement at ripening stage). The research farm is dominated by sandy
loom soil. The full and the deficit irrigation treatments showed similar
effects on maize grain yield and yield components. On the other hand the
deficit irrigation I2 (75% crop water requirement at vegetative stage) and
I3 (50% crop water requirement at vegetative stage) resulted in
significantly higher water productivity (0.59 kg/m³) with no yield
reduction. Therefore, in order to save irrigation water while keeping high
productivity of maize under such desert conditions, it is recommended to
apply deficit irrigation of 50% crop water requirement at vegetative stage
of the crop.