Response of spring maize to irrigation scheduling and mulching in Punjab

Aim: This study was planned and conducted to find the optimum IW:CPE level of irrigation scheduling along with mulching for spring maize in Punjab. Methodology: An experiment was conducted in spring, 2022 on agriculture farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab comprising of four levels of irrigation scheduling viz., I1 (Surface irrigation at critical growth stages), I2 (Surface irrigation at 1.0 IW:CPE), I3 (Surface irrigation at 0.8 IW:CPE), I4 (Surface irrigation at 0.6 IW:CPE) assigned to main plots and two mulching treatments viz., M1 (No Mulch), M2 (With Mulch) allotted to the sub plots, which were replicated 4 times in split plot design. Results: Application of irrigation at IW:CPE ratio of 1.0 and 0.8 in spring maize were equally good as they recorded higher growth and yield parameters. Among the mulching practices, M2 resulted in better growth and yield parameters over no mulching. Highest green cob yield, grain yield and stover yield were also attained under irrigation applied at 1.0 IW:CPE combined with mulching, but it remained statistically at par with irrigation at 0.8 IW:CPE with mulching. Highest water use efficiency was seen under 0.8 IW:CPE. Interpretation: Optimum level of irrigation along with mulching for spring maize was assessed based on the results obtained for growth, yield as well as water use efficiency. It was recorded that irrigation at 0.8 IW:CPE with mulching was found best for higher grain yield of maize hybrid. Key words: Grain yield, Hybrid maize, Irrigation scheduling, Mulching, Water use efficiency