Yield components, yield and nutrient uptake pattern in maize (Zea mays) under varying irrigation and nitrogen levels

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2015 on sandy-loam soil at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the effect of variable irrigation regimes and nitrogen rates on yield-contributing parameters, yield and nutrient uptake in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid ‘PEEHM 5’. Irrigating maize at 25% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM) improved the grain and stover yield by 26.7 and 15.4%, and 40.9 and 82.5% over irrigation at 75% DASM and rainfed crop respectively. Nutrient (N, P, K) uptakes in grain were significantly greater with irrigation at 25% DASM than 75% DASM and rainfed crop. The highest grain yield (4.35 t/ha) was obtained with 160 kg N/ha, while the stover yield was the highest with 240 kg N/ha. Uptake of N and K in grain increased significantly up to 160 kg N/ha; however, P uptake by grain increased significantly up to 120 kg N/ha. Further, the combination of irrigation at 25% DASM and 200 kg N/ha resulted in the highest grain yield (5.56 t/ha). Overall, maize crop may be irrigated at 25% DASM and supplied with 160 kg N/ha to obtain higher yield with major nutrient-enriched grains.