Determination of the irrigation program of maize (Zea mays L.), thefirst crope irrigated by drip irrigation method in the Harran Plain

Maize holds strategic importance worldwide as both a staple food for humans and animal feed, requiring effective water management in agricultural production due to its high water demand. Irrigation intervals and water levels play a significant role in maize growth, yield, and irrigation water productivity. This study was conducted under the conditions of the Harran Plain in 2022. The research was carried out in a split-plot design within a randomized block design with three replications. The main factors consisted of two different irrigation intervals (4 days (D4) and 8 days (D8)), while the sub-factors included four different levels of open water surface evaporation (I1 (K=1.15), I2 (K=1.00), I3 (K=0.75), and I4 (K=0.50)). At the end of the study, irrigation water amount (IW), crop water consumption (ETc), water productivity (WP), irrigation water productivity (IWP), plant height, ear diameter and weight, number of kernels per ear, 100-kernel weight, and grain yield were evaluated. The irrigation water amount ranged between 445.0-859.1 mm, crop water consumption varied between 515.6-937.3 mm, water productivity (WP) ranged from 0.23 to 0.96 kg m⁻³, and irrigation water productivity (IWP) varied between 0.26 and 1.04 kg m⁻³. The effects of irrigation interval, irrigation water level, and their interactions on yield and yield components were found to be statistically significant. The highest yield and yield components were obtained from the D4I1 treatment. In contrast, the lowest yield was observed in the D8I4 treatment, where the pan coefficient was 0.50 and the irrigation interval was 8 days.