Evaluation of the effect of deficit irrigation scenarios on maize production for irrigation water management :

Abstract

There is a negative impact on rainfall pattern & water resources caused due to global climate change. This has eventually affected maize production. This study analyzed the effect of deficit irrigation scenarios on maize production for irrigation water management, where three treatments (Control 100%, 80⁒, 50⁒ deficit irrigation strategies of crop water needs) were implemented. Daily weather parameters like rainfall/precipitation, temperature, humidity, radiation, wind speed among others were downloaded from NASAPOWER website & reference evapotranspiration, ETo calculated using the Penman Monteith equation. The results indicate that the estimated ETo is found highest in the mid-season stage and lowest in the initial stage. Evaporation pan was used at the site to estimate ETo. Agronomic measurements of leaf length, width and height and estimation of leaf area index, soil textural analysis, infiltration and hydraulic conductivity were carried out, soil moisture sensors used in recording of soil moisture, temperature, bulk electric conductivity status of the soil.