Determination of Optimal Irrigation Scheduling for Maize (Zea Mays) at Assosa District, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

Miniebel Fentahun Moges

doi:10.7176/jnsr/12-3-02

Abstract

Knowing the appropriate time of irrigation and the amount of water applied to the crop is essential to increase yield and water productivity. There was no research activity which was conducted in Assosa district regarding to optimal irrigation scheduling of maize before this study. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the response of maize to irrigation regime( when and how much) and determination of water productivity. Field experiments were conducted in two consecutive years. The experiment had five treatments which were, Soil moisture depletion levels (SMD1=60% of ASMDL, SMD2=80% of ASMDL, SMD3=100% of ASMDL,SDL4= 120% of ASMDL and SMD5= 140% of ASMDL) with RCBD experimental design. Reference evapotranspiration, crop water and net irrigation requirements were calculated. The results were indicated that yield and water productivity were significance at SMD3 or 100% available soil moisture depletion level of maize variety of BH-540. Hence applying irrigation water when the available soil moisture content reaches at critical depletion and 444.2mm total net depth of water was contributed. Keywords : Water requirement, Irrigation scheduling, Water productivity, Maize, Assosa DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-3-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Highlights

Irrigation scheduling is the practice of using some method to decide when to start an irrigation system and how much water to apply
To obtain high yield and productivity, the amount of water which is applied to the root zone of the crop and the time of application is essential, but the optimal irrigation scheduling of maize was not known before this study
Predetermined amount of irrigation water was applied to each plot using standardized 3 inch Parshall flume which was installed at the entrance of the experimental field .The total seasonal crop water requirement was 536.4mm.The total seasonal net irrigation requirement for 100% of ASMDL was 444.2mm

Summary

Introduction

Irrigation scheduling is the practice of using some method to decide when to start an irrigation system and how much water to apply. Irrigation scheduling is an important irrigation management issues for maximizing production efficiency. It involves determining the proper amount and timing of water applications throughout the growing season. Determination of the appropriate timing of irrigation usually involves the use of daily ET estimate based on local meteorological data to maintain a daily soil water balance throughout the irrigation season. To obtain high yield and productivity, the amount of water which is applied to the root zone of the crop and the time of application is essential, but the optimal irrigation scheduling of maize was not known before this study. There for, this study was conducted to evaluate the response of Maize to irrigation regime( when and how much) and determination of water productivity

Methods

Results

Conclusion