Corn yield response to deficit irrigation during low and high sensitive growth stages and planting methods under semi-arid climatic conditions

Water regulations have decreased irrigation water supplies in KPK and some other semi-arid areas of the Pakistan. When available water is not enough to meet crop water requirements during the entire growing cycle, it becomes critical to know the proper irrigation timing that would maximize yields and profits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water stress imposed at low and high sensitive growth stages (six leaves, twelve leaves, flowering and grain filling stages) and role of different planting methods (Ridge, Flat and Broadcast) in soil moisture conservation for maize crop. The research was carried out using RCBD with split plot arrangement having 4 replications at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during May 2017. Deficit Irrigations were allotted to main plots, while planting methods were allotted to sub plots. Deficit irrigations had significant (P≤0.05) affect on all parameters excluding number of plants at harvest. Full irrigation (10 irrigations) had significantly more plant height (189.25 cm), 1000 grain weight (211.25 g), leaf area (425.95 cm2), number of leaves (16.23), grain yield (3352.75 kg), biological yield (10726.08 kg) and shelling percentage (47.78). Whereas one irrigation missing at six leaves stages produced maximum Harvest index (33.99 %). In case of planting methods, ridge planting had significantly higher plant height (186.10 cm), Plant at harvest (61316.60), thousand grain weight (205.90 g), leaf area (422.92 cm2), grain yield (2948.35 kg), biological yield (10562.30 kg). While broadcast planting produced high Shelling percentage (46.90). The interaction of planting methods and deficit irrigations, maize grow on ridge method and give full irrigations produced higher plant height (192 cm), ridge and one irrigation missing at six leaves stages had more Harvest index (35.06%) and high Shelling percentage (49.27) was obtained on broadcast planting with full irrigation. On the basis of the above results it is recommended that in water scare area grow maize on ridge planting method and give deficit irrigation at vegetative stage (one irrigation missing at six leaves stages) in order to increased water productivity (Efficiency).