Enhancing crop and water productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) through drip fertigation

A field experiment was conducted during the spring seasons of 2014 and 2015 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to find out the water and nutrient-efficient drip-fertigation schedule for higher productivity of spring maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete-block design and treatment comprise combinations of 3 drip irrigation levels [60, 80 and 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc)] and 4 fertigation levels [100, 80, 60% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and soil application of RDF i.e. 125 kg N and 62.5 kg P₂O₅/ha]. Drip irrigation at 100% ETc resulted in the maximum grain yield which was statistically at par with that obtained with 80% ETc but significantly better than 60% ETc. Drip irrigation at 80 and 100% ETc registered 11.9 and 15.8% higher grain yield than 60% ETc because of significantly better growth and yield attributes resulting from adequate supply of moisture. However, irrigation water productivity (WP_I) was significantly higher in 60% ETc than 80 and 100% ETc, but total water productivity (WP_T) remained statistically at par between 60 and 80% ETc. Net returns and benefit: cost were also the highest from crop drip irrigated at 100% ETc and least from that drip irrigated at 60% ETc. Similarly, drip fertigation at 80% RDF while being statistically at par with drip fertigation at 100% RDF recorded significantly higher grain yield than drip fertigation at 60% RDF and soil application at 100% RDF. Hence spring maize should be drip fertigated at 80% ETc. with 80% RDF to save 20% nutrients and irrigation water with higher net returns and benefit: cost.