Determination of effective irrigation intervals in the center pivot sprinkler system for maize (Zea mays L.) varieties

Abstract

The increasing importance of the corn plant in animal nutrition as silage and grain feed has led to expand of corn cultivation in large areas. One of the best ways to meet the demand for irrigation of corn in large areas in Iraq is to establish a center pivot sprinkler system. This experimental study was carried out to determine the effective irrigation intervals in the center pivot sprinkler system in the cultivation of some corn varieties registered in Iraq in Kirkuk Governorate / Iraq in 2021. Another aim of this study is to identify the variety or varieties that have higher yields under different irrigation interval conditions. Another aim of this study was to determine the variety or varieties with higher yield under different irrigation interval conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications. Five registered maize varieties (AlFajer, AlMaha, AlSafa, Buhooth-106 and Sara) were used as experiment materials and three irrigation intervals (2, 4 and 6 day periods) were applied using the pivot sprinkler method. According to the result of this experiment, Buhooth-106 variety had the highest yield (7.23 kg ha⁻ˡ). Although the 6-day irrigation interval resulted in the lowest grain yield for all varieties, the difference in terms of corn grain yield between 4-day and 2-day irrigation interval was not found significant, statistically. In conclusion, the 4-day irrigation interval application using the center pivot irrigation system and Buhooth-106 variety can be recommended growing corn in conditions of Kirkuk Governorate of Iraq.