Impact of irrigation methods and nitrogen application on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter maize
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Date
2023
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RPCAU, Pusa
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Impact of irrigation methods and nitrogen application on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter maize” was studied in Rabi 2022-23 in the Pusa farm of Dr. Rajendra prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar to find out effect of irrigation methods and nitrogen application rate on productivity, nitrogen use efficiency of Rabi maize. The trial was laid out in split plot design with two irrigation methods consist viz., I1- Flood irrigation, I2- Furrow irrigation in main plot and four N-fertilizer rates viz., F0- Control, F1- RDF (150-75-50), STCR (180-52-23) and Farmers’ practice (200-75-50) in sub-plot treatments with replicated thrice.
Among irrigation practices, Furrow irrigation recorded higher maize height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, leaf area index compared to flood irrigation method. Among N application rate option, use of 200:75:50 N: P2O: K2O obtained significantly higher maize height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and leaf area index. The yield of rabi maize (10 t/ha), biological yield (21 t/ha) were highest in furrow irrigation method with use of N: P2O: K2O @ 200:75:50 kg/ha but the interaction between them was found non-significant and they were at par with flood irrigation with @ 200:75:50 kg/ha and furrow irrigation with STCR 180-52-23: N: P2O: K2O kg/ha. Consequently, higher nitrogen use efficiency (42 kg/kg) was achieved from furrow irrigation with 200 kg N/ha fertiliser dose (I2F3). The ammonium and nitrate concentration were higher in flood irrigation at 3, 10 days after irrigation and fertiliser application (200:75:50 kg/ha) in soil depths of 15 and 30 cm.
Furrow irrigation with combination of N doses of 200 kg N/ha had the highest cost of cultivation (`64296/ha), Gross return (`216796/ha) and net return (`152500/ha). Whereas the benefit cost ratio (2.42) was the highest in furrow irrigation applied with 200 kg N/ha treatments.
From the present study it may be concluded that furrow irrigation with N: P2O: K2O dosages at the rate of 200: 75: 50 kg /ha had higher grain yield, stover yield, biological yield, however, it was at par with furrow irrigation with STCR 180-52-23: of N: P2O: K2O kg/ha. Nitrogen use efficiency was significantly higher in furrow irrigation and ammonium and nitrate leaching was the highest in flood irrigation with 200 kg N/ha. The net return, gross return and B:C ratio of rabi maize was recorded to be higher furrow irrigation with N: P2O: K2O dosages at the rate of 200: 75: 50 kg /ha.
Key words: Nitrogen, Winter Maize, Ammonium, Nitrate, Yield, furrow irrigation