Interactive Effects of Irrigation Intervals and Stocksorb660 Rates on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Conditions of Northern State, Sudan

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted for two seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018) at Dongola Research Station Farm to investigate the interactive effects of three irrigation intervals (10, 15 and 20 days) and four rates of soil conditioner known as Stocksorb660 (0, 10, 15 and 20 kg/fed) on growth and yield of maize. The experiment was carried out in split plot design, with irrigation interval comprising the main plot while the stocksorb660 rates were assigned to the sub-plot. Treatments were replicated four times. Results revealed that irrigation interval during both seasons significantly affected all measured parameters while stocksorb660 rate significantly affected cob length only during the first season. On the other hand, interaction effects were observed on grain yield. Combined analysis showed that irrespective of irrigation interval, increased rate of stocksorb660 increased the grain yield of maize. The results also showed that the combination of 15 days interval with 15 and 20 kg of stocksorb660 per feddan gave similar yields (5.0t/ha). However, irrespective of stocksorb660 rate, 10 days irrigation interval gave grain yield that ranged between 5.1 and 6.2t/ha. These results indicated that combination of 15 days interval with 15 to 20kg of stocksorb660 per feddan resulted in higher yield and saved irrigation water