FARMERS IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF MAIZE CROP

Abstract

The research study was conducted to monitor the water management practices for maize crop at outlet RD. 22630-L of Warsak Lift Canal irrigation system during Kharif, 1999. Fifteen fields were selected randomly; five each at head, middle and tail of the outlet. Soil physical properties, irrigation requirements, actual management allowed deficit (before irrigation) and water use efficiency were determined for the selected fields. Discharge was measured at the intakes of the selected fields and the time of application of water to each field was recorded. irrigation requirement of the selected fields were computed by FAO software program CROPWAT, using Tarnab meteorological station data. The total actual applied depth of water for the selected fields at head middle and tail of the outlet, ranged between 576.0-766.1 mm, 661.2-1056.1 mm and 565-769.5 mm respectively. The variation in depth of water applied was due to fluctuating discharge of the outlet, The gross irrigation requirements for the selected fields at head, middle and tail of the outlet ranged between 525.8-592.8 mm, 510.5-602.6 mm and 540.7-565.3 mm respectively. The change in gross irrigation requirement was due to different growth stages of maize crop. The actual management allowed deficit for the selected fields at head, middle and tail of the outlet ranged between 0.37 -043, 0.38 -0.45 and 0.31 -043 respectively. The variation in MAD was due to non-uniform frequency of irrigation. Water use efficiency of maize for the selected fields at head, middle and tail of the outlet ranged 2.52-3.62 kg/ha/mm, 2.97-4.21 kg/ha/mm and 3.81-4.43 kg/ha/mm respectively. The decrease in yield is due to improper irrigation and fertilization. The research study reveals that farmers were irrigating the maize crop without giving due consideration to the actual crop water requirements and actual management allowed deficit.