Enhancing productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) through planting methods, varieties and irrigation levels in Punjab

A field experiment was conducted during the spring seasons of 2010 and 2011 at Ludhiana to enhance the productivity of spring maize through cultivars, planting methods and irrigation scheduling. The experiment was conducted in 3 times replicated factorial split-plot design, where main-plots received 9 combinations of three varieties viz. ‘JH 3956’, ‘PMH 2’ and ‘JH 3459’ and 3 methods of planting viz. freshly prepared beds, ridges and flat plots while sub-plots received 3 irrigation levels based on IW: CPE ratios viz. 1.2, 0.9 and 0.6. Crop planted on southern slope of east-west laid beds and ridges recorded 18.0–18.1% higher grain yield, 19.7–21.2% higher irrigation water productivity (IWP) and 37.8–38.6% higher net returns over variable costs in comparison to flat planted crop. Cultivar ‘JH 3956’ produced 12.7% higher grain yield, similar IWP and 25.7% higher returns as compared to ‘PMH 2’, which in turn recorded 7.9% higher grain yield, 6.5% higher IWP and 17.6% higher returns than that of ‘JH 3459’ cultivar. The IWP was recorded the highest in IW: CPE ratio of 0.6 while the grain yield and economic returns was the highest with irrigation at 0.9 IW: CPE ratio.