COMPARATIVE STUDY OF YIELD AND WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE UNDER AUTOMATED DRIP AND FLOOD IRRIGATION

Abstract

Water scarcity in Pakistan is a growing concern that significantly affects agricultural productivity, particularly in crops like maize (Zea mays L.), which is a staple food and a major cash crop in the country. Sowing was done with Pneumatic planter 76.2 cm wide raised bed with furrow of 45.7 cm wide. To compare of water accounting and budgeting of maize under automated drip irrigation (ADI) and flood irrigation (FI) field experiment was conducted. In Kharif seasons a maize hybrid variety (DK-8148) was sown in consecutive two seasons of Kharif season of 2023 and Kharif 2024. Seeds (10 Kg/acre) were sown on mid-July and harvested on end of October. The experiment was executed on a laser-leveled field at Water Management Research Farm, Renala Khurd, Okara. It was observed that total water applied through ADI was 329 mm, while in FI it was 550 mm. Yield was 2.60 tons/acre in ADI, while 2.40 tons/acre in flood irrigation. So, crop water productivity (CWP) of ADI (1.95 Kg/m3) was significantly higher than observed in FI (1.08 Kg/m³). ADI saved 221 mm of water compared with FI. It was found that automated drip irrigation improves yield and water productivity for maize plant.