ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp: (34-41), Month: October - December 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
RESPONSE OF IRRIGATED MAIZE (Zea mays L) CULTIVARS TO DEFICIT IRRIGATION IN TWO OF THE NIGERIAN SAVANNAS 1 1 2 &4
A. Y. Yaroson., 2 M. S. Garko., 3N. H. Kura, 4M. A. Yawale
Department of Crop Production Federal Collage of Forestry Jos Plateau State, Nigeria
Department of Crop Science Faculty of Agriculture, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria 3
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu University Zaria Nigeria
Abstract: Field experiment was carried out during the dry season of 2018 at Federal College of Forestry demonstration farm, Jos, Plateau State, and Irrigation Research Stations of Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Kadawa sub-station. The treatments consisted of three maize cultivars (SAMMAZ-18, SAMMAZ-29 and SAMMAZ 40) and three Irrigation Intervals (G = irrigation at all growth, T = except at tasselling and S = except at silking) the treatments were laid out in a split plot design with the variety allocated to the main plot and deficit irrigation to the sub plots and were replicated three times. The result revealed that irrigation at all growth and withdrawing at silking resulted in highest growth, yield attributes and grain yield, a no significant response to deficit irrigation was observed on some yield characters across both locations. It can be recommended that, irrigation at all growth stage or withdrawing irrigation at silking with planting of SAMMAZ – 40 for optimum production of maize under the study areas. Keywords: Deficit Irrigation, Maize cultivars, Two Different Savannas.
1. INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop which ranks third after wheat and rice in the world (Onasanya et al., 2009). Nigeria is ranked among the 15th most important world producer of maize and the 2 nd highest in Africa after South Africa with a total production of about 7.2 million metric tonnes in 2016 (Shiyam et al., 2017). The production of this crop has been transformed from that of a minor crop being grown around the homestead to a major or commercial grain crop competing with sorghum and millet as a strategy grain crop in the economy of the nation (Edward et al. 2005). The transformation of maize into a cash crop has escalated the demand for the crop. This has created a wide gap between demand and supply arising from the predominantly low maize yield which fluctuates around 1 - 2 tonnes per hectare in traditional farming compared to high yield of about 8.6 tonnes/ha obtained with good crop management (Uguru, 2011). The production constraints reliance is on natural resources base such as rainfall, insufficient water for irrigation purposes, inadequate infrastructure or lack of good planting materials, limited technological options, and also lack of financial resources are some of the challenges faced by many developing countries (Nigeria inclusive) in maize production, often resulting in low or even declining production levels (WMO, 2012). The total production of maize is insufficient to meet the ever increasing demand for consumption and other purposes. Although the land for maize cultivation is increasing, the total production is not sufficient to breach the gap between demand and supply. Because of these, an attempt to increase maize production is of great importance. To increase maize
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