MANAGING FURROW IRRIGATION METHOD IN CORN SMALL HOLDINGS

Abstract

A field study on corn using furrow irrigation was carried out in northern Egypt on a clay loam soil with 1.2 g cm-3, average soil bulk during 2015 season in Shibin El-Kom area, Egypt. The main aim of this work is to study the changing of irrigation rate (10.71 and 5.35 m3 h-1) and fertilizer application (in complete irrigation time and half wave) on two different slopes (0.05 and 0.1%) of corn field in order to improve furrow irrigation method in small holdings. Corn seeds (Hi-Tech 2031) were planted on May 13, 2015 and received eight irrigations during the growing season. Application efficiency (Ea) was highly achieved by applying 10.71 m3 h-1 and improved by all treatments in second irrigation due to increasing initial soil moisture content compared to first irrigation. Storage efficiency (Es) was properly achieved by applying all treatments except 10.71 m3 h-1 inflow rate under 0.05% furrow slope because 7% deficit was occurred. The results showed that, average of corn yield, green forage yield, 100-grain weight, number of rows per ear and number of grains per row increased by decreasing furrow slope, decreasing inlet flow rate, and nitrogen application after offering half wave. Nitrogen application after offering half wave was achieved high nitrogen (N) concentration in corn root zone. The results indicated that corn yield increased by 8.90, 0.39 and 5.74% by applying furrow slope 0.05% relative to 0.1%, 5.35 m3 h-1 inlet flow rate relative to 10.71 m3 h-1 and nitrogen application after offering half wave along furrow relative to nitrogen application with the beginning of irrigation, respectively.