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

MANINDER SINGH; KRISHAN KUMAR VASHIST

doi:10.59797/ija.v61i3.4373

Authors

MANINDER SINGH
KRISHAN KUMAR VASHIST

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v61i3.4373

Keywords:

Beds, Flat, Irrigation scheduling, IWCPE ratio, Maize cultivars, Ridges

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the spring seasons of 2010 and 2011 at Ludhiana to enhance the pro- ductivity of spring maize through cultivars, planting methods and irrigation scheduling. The experiment was con- ducted 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 18.018.1% higher grain yield, 19.721.2% higher irrigation wa- ter productivity (IWP) and 37.838.6% 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.

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