Grain Yield, Growth and Yield Components of Maize as Influenced by Irrigation Intervals and Irrigation Levels

Abstract

Irrigation intervals influence the soil moisture, plant stress where irrigation levels determine water availability based on environmental demand with their combined management was crucial for optimizing maize growth and yield under varying irrigation conditions.  Maize responds differently to varying irrigation intervals and levels influencing the growth and yield of a crop. A field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial concept comprised of eight treatments with two irrigation intervals (irrigation at five days and ten days) and four irrigation levels (1.0, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 CPE) were evaluated at Centre for climate resilient agriculture, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, during summer season of 2023.  Irrigation at five-day intervals with 1.0 CPE significantly improved grain yield (9835 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (15016 kg ha⁻¹), harvest index (0.40), grain yield per plant (181.53 g), test weight (26.51 g), grains per cob (587.33), plant height (196.25 cm), number of leaves (10.63) and stem girth (7.46 cm).The plant height, number of leaves, number of grains per cob and test weight exhibited strong positive correlation with grain yield emphasizing their role in enhancing maize productivity under varying irrigation levels. The optimal irrigation strategies for maize, emphasizing the effects of different irrigation intervals and levels on growth and yield. It provides practical insights for sustainable water management and maximizing productivity particularly under resource constraints.