Influence of Planting and Irrigation Levels as Physical Methods on Maize Root Morphological Traits, Grain Yield and Water Productivity in Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

Assessing the impact of planting methods and irrigation levels is needed to determine the effects on maize root morphological traits, grain yield, and water productivity in semi-arid regions. A study was initiated on maize (Zea mays L.) from 2015 to 2016, including three planting methods [i.e. broad bed and furrow (BBF), shallow and narrow furrow (SNF) and deep and wider furrow (DWF)] and four irrigation levels [i.e. irrigation once in ten days (I10D), irrigation at 40% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM, I40), irrigation at 50% DASM (I50) and irrigation at 60% DASM (I60)] arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Results reveal that the DWF method has increased root length, root volume, root surface area and root dry weight compared to SNF and BBF (p < 0.05). DWF and SNF resulted in higher grain yield than BBF, although the DWF grain yield was non-significant with SNF but resulted in 22.40% higher irrigation application. Irrigation at I50 had a significant effect on root length, root surface area, and grain yield, regardless of planting methods. Therefore, where irrigation has been a costly and limited farm input, the practice of SNF and deficit irrigation (I50) could be a viable option for greater water saving and higher grain yields of maize.

Assessment of Planting Method and Deficit Irrigation Impacts on Physio-Morphology, Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Vertisols of Semi-Arid Tropics

“…The higher WUE in the BBF method is likely due to reduced water consumption (32.62% and 17.88% lower, Table 9) compared to DWF and SNF. Interestingly, I 50 recorded a higher and comparable grain yield with a considerable reduction in the water consumption (12.52% to 37.92%) compared to I 40 , whereas the excess lateral moment of soil moisture under the DWF method led to a higher water consumption (30% to 35% higher irrigation) and low WUE, as reported by [32]. Similar results were obtained by [56], who reported that a greater WUE (13.63% greater) was observed with moderate-deficit irrigation compared to full irrigation in clay loam soil.…”

“…Furthermore, the increased soil moisture availability under DWF and irrigation at 40% and 50% depletion treatments could have prolonged the crop root forage area due to mineralization of an unavailable nutrient pool and optimum moisture content. Therefore, improved root growth and vegetative phases were witnessed under DWF + I 40 and I 50 [32]. The low rainfall (105.8 mm), higher average maximum temperature (35.99 • C) and evaporation (7.43 mm day −1 ) and increased soil temperature (40.89 • C) in 2016 (Table 7) are believed to be reasons for the early occurrence of 50% tasseling, silking, and physiological maturity compared to 2015.…”

“…Studies have reported that maize planted with the ridge method recorded a greater leaf area index (~6.0), 1000 grain weight (310.4 g), yield (5.45 t ha −1 ) and WUE (1.34 kg m −3 ) compared to the flat and bed methods of planting in sandy clay loam soil [30,31]. Likewise, an increase in grain yield (6.9 to 7.09 t ha −1 ) and nitrogen uptake (183.0 to 192.8 kg ha −1 ) as a result of improved root volume (4.48 to 5.03 cm 3 plant −1 ) and root dry weight (13.89 to 14.64 g plant −1 ) was witnessed in maize planted on shallow furrows and deep ridges and furrows compared to broad bed and furrow systems in clay soil [15,32]. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the physio-morphological changes of maize according to different planting methods and irrigation schedules to explore the mechanisms of water conservation, and to achieve maximum yield.…”

Integrated Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Sowing Methods on Weed Dynamics and System Productivity of Maize–Cowpea Sequence on Vertisols

“…In this context, a deficit irrigation strategy, intercropping and altered sowing methods have captured the attention of researchers and planners and has been widely accepted as an important strategy for water scare areas in recent times [17]. The objective of deficit irrigation is to stabilize crop yields by enhancing water productivity [18,19]. Therefore, irrigating the crop root zone with appropriate moisture deficit under suitable sowing methods is of viable option to reduce the water usage, to monitor the weeds, crop yield by reducing the soil wetting zone.…”

Chemical Properties and Bacterial Community Reaction to Acidified Cattle Slurry Fertilization in Soil from Maize Cultivation

“…Maize (Zea mays L.), being one of the most cultivated cereals around the world, makes up an acreage of up to 196 million hectares, and in Europe approximately 11% of all crops are maize fields [14,15]. It is not only a food crop but also an industrial crop, with only 12-13% of its production used for direct human consumption.…”