Enhancing Water use Efficiency of Maize under Deficit Irrigation: the Case of Moisture Deficit Areas of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Maize (Zea Mays L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide. In Ethiopia, it is one of the leading food grains selected to assume a national commodity crop to support the food self-sufficiency program of the country. Maize is fairly sensitive to water stress and excessive moisture stress. This is due to variation in sensitivity of different growth stages to water stress. The study was conducted to determine the water use efficiency of maize under deficit irrigation practice without significant reduction in yield and to identify crop growth stages which can withstand water stress. The experiment was conducted at the Alamata Agricultural Research center experimental site Kara Adishabo Kebele, Raya Azebo district. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and six levels of irrigation water applications as possible treatments. Analysis was done to yield and water use efficiency of maize using R statistical software and the mean difference was estimated using the least significant difference (LSD) comparison. The highest grain (33.72qt/ha) and biomass yield (148.4qt/ha) was obtained from the 50% deficit irrigation at late growth. The maximum irrigation water use efficiency was obtained from both 50% deficit at all the four growth stages (0.5418 kg/ha) and at 50% deficit at late growth stage (0.446 kg/m3). And by comparing the grain yield obtained at the 50% deficit at late growth stage (33.72 qt/ha) and grain yield obtained at 50% deficit at all growth stages (23.34 qt/ha), the 50% deficit at late growth stage shows better result. The 50% deficit of crop water requirement did not affect the yield components (plant height & number of cobs per plant) of maze. Therefore applying irrigation water by reducing the crop water requirement by 50% at the late growth stage has a significant contribution for sustainable and efficient irrigation water utilization at moisture deficient areas without a significant loss on grain and biomass yield.