Yield response of maize genotypes to conventional deficit irrigation and partial root drying

Jury : Prof. Dr. Cevat KIRDA: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevilay TOPÇU: Prof. Dr. Ahmet Can ÜLGER: Prof. Dr. Cafer GENÇOĞLAN: Prof. Dr. Mahmut ÇETİNIn this work, yield response of five maize genotypes to three differentirrigation treatments was investigated. The field study was carried out inDepartmental Research Field of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation Department, atCukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Adana, during 2004 to 2005. Threeirrigation treatments were included: (1) FULL irrigation (TS), the control treatmentwhere irrigation water equivalent to Class-A pan evaporation was applied; (2) Partialroot-zone irrigation (YIS) where 65% of water applied to TS was applied in everyother furrow and thus wetting only one half of the root-zone which will be alternatedin subsequent irrigations; (3) Conventional deficit irrigation (KS) where again 65%of water applied to TS was applied in every furrow, as was the case for TS treatment.The maize genotypes tested were P.31.G.98, P.3394, Rx:9292, Tector and Tietar.Completely Randomized Block experimental design with four replicates was used.The irrigation treatments were implemented with drip irrigation method. During twoyears of the study, nine irrigations took place and soil water status in plant root zonewas monitored with neutron water gauge. Plant height, leaf area index, dry matterproduction, plant root density, leaf water potential and other measurements werecarried out during each growing season. Grain yield production and other yieldattributes at harvest were recorded. Response of maize genotypes to differentirrigation treatments were different as evaluated with yield data and other plantparameters. The results showed that the genotypes Tector and Tietar could givesignificant yield advantage among the tested genotypes if and when irrigated withpartial root-zone irrigation technique in areas of water scarcity.Key Words: Maize, deficit irrigation, root density, water use efficiency, leaf waterpotential,II