Irrigation management for some maize cultivars under different plant populations

ABSTRACT

The effect of different irrigation intervals [10, 15 and 20 days] and plantpopulations [15, 20 and 30 thousand plants/fed.] on growth, yield and itscomponents as well as grain chemical composition of three maize cultivars,i.e. single cross 10 [SC 10]. Three way cross 310 [TWC 310] and Giza 2 werestudied. Two field experiments were carried out during 1998 and 1999 seasonsat the Central Administration Farm of the Agricultural Extension, El-FashnDistrict, Beni-Sweef Governorate, Egypt. The results showed that prolongingirrigation intervals up to 20 days decreased significantly growth patternsstudied after 70 and 90 days from sowing as well as grain yield and itscomponents. Total carbohydrate, crude protein and oil percentages in maizegrain were significantly affected by irrigation intervals. The data showedthat increasing plant population up to 30 thousand plants per feddan led to asignificant increase in plant height and final grain yield per feddan; whereas,stem diameter and ear leaf area as well as grain yield/plant and itscomponents were significantly decreased. Total carbohydrates and crudeprotein percentages were significantly reduced by increasing plant populationup to 30 thousand plants/fed., while oil content was insignificantly affected. Significant differences were found among the tested maize cultivars withrespect to growth patterns, yield and its components as well as the chemicalcomposition of grain. The data clearly showed that SC 10 cultivar was superiorin final grain yield than the two other ones. It also recorded the highestgrain yield [3.61 t/fed.] against 3.45 and 3.27 for TWC 310 and Giza 2,respectively. The results revealed that soil moisture stress has a seriouseffect on grain yield. The application of irrigations every 10 days, combinedwith planting SC 10 or TWC 310 cultivars at density 30 thousand plants/fed. could be recommended to obtain the best grain yield