ISSN : 0975-3710
EISSN : 0975-9107
H.S. BRAR1*, K.K. VASHIST2
1Regional Research Station, Bathinda 151001, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004, Punjab, India
2Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004, Punjab, India
* Corresponding Author : hsbrar86@gmail.com
Received : 24-01-2019 Accepted : 27-08-2019 Published : 30-08-2019
Volume : 11 Issue : 16 Pages : 8910 - 8915
Int J Agr Sci 11.16 (2019):8910-8915
Keywords : Deficit Irrigation, Irrigation System, Root-Shoot Ratio, Sowing Geometry
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004, Punjab, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed
Drip irrigation has affect on root distribution and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.). An experiment was planned to determine effect of various drip irrigation regimes and planting methods on root growth and yield of spring maize at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana for two years. Experiment consisted of 11 (9+2) combination of treatments, out of which nine treatments consisted of three levels of drip irrigation i.e. 60 (DI60), 80 (DI80) and 100 (DI100) percent of cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) in combination with three methods of planting i.e. 1row per ridge, 1row per bed and 1row(zigzag) per bed. Conventional irrigated treatments i.e., ridge and flat sown were kept as control. Root density was higher in 0-30 cm under DI100 but below 30 cm, it was higher under DI60 and DI80. Each increase in drip irrigation regime led to significant increase in cob and grain yield. Among the control treatments, root density, cob yield and grain yield was higher under ridge sown control treatment. Averaged over drip irrigation treatments, root density was significantly higher in top 15 cm soil layer in comparison with control treatments. While, the trend reversed below 15 cm soil layer. Cob and grain yield was significantly higher under drip irrigated maize than conventional irrigated maize. Frequent drip irrigation at 100 percent of CPE kept maize crop in favorable soil moisture conditions thus produced shallow and higher root mass (especially in top 30 cm) which resulted in better yield attributes and yield as compared to conventional irrigation method.
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