Comparative growth and yield performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under various irrigation regimens

The current study investigated the impact of different irrigation schedules on the growth and yield attributes of hybrid varieties of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment consists of two main factors: Factor A, which includes various irrigation stages such as I₁ (Irrigation at early vegetation stage, knee high, flowering, and grain filling), I₂ (Irrigation at knee high, flowering, and grain filling), I₃ (Irrigation at flowering, and grain filling), I₄ (Irrigation at flowering), I₅ (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8), I₆ (Rainfed); and Factor B, which involves different varieties (Shalimar Hybrid-2 and Shalimar Hybrid-3) laid out in a split plot design with 3 replications. The study revealed significant variations in growth and yield attributes among the varieties and irrigation treatments. As a result, higher plant growth parameters and yield attributes were recorded in the Shalimar Hybrid-3 variety than in the Shalimar Hybrid-2. Among treatments, I₅ (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8) recorded statistically higher growth and yield parameters, minimum values observed in I₆ (Control). I₅ (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8) recorded statistically higher grain and stover yield of 80.22 q ha^-1 and 121.05 q ha^-1 as compared to the rest of the treatments.