Author(s):

A Selva Rani and G Mariappan

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, during <em>Kharif </em>2008 and <em>Kharif</em> 2009 at Coimbatore to study the effect of drip irrigation regimes and fertigation levels on yield of maize. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments included two irrigation regimes in main plot and eight fertigation levels in sub plot. In main plot, two irrigation regimes <em>viz.,</em> M₁ - Irrigation through drip at 75 per cent PE once in 3 days, M₂ - Irrigation through drip at 100 per cent PE once in 3 days were accommodated. The sub plot treatments consisted of eight fertigation levels <em>viz.,</em> S₁ - Drip fertigation with 75 per cent RDF (P as basal), S₂- Drip fertigation with 100 per cent RDF (P as basal), S₃- Drip fertigation with 125 per cent RDF (P as basal), S₄- Drip fertigation with 150 per cent RDF (P as basal), S₅- Drip fertigation with 75 per cent RDF with P through WSF (17:44:0), S₆- Drip fertigation with 100 per cent RDF with P through WSF (17:44:0), S₇- Drip fertigation with 125 per cent RDF with P through WSF (17:44:0) and S₈- Drip fertigation with 150 per cent RDF with P through WSF (17:44:0). Control plots with surface irrigation at 0.80 IW / CPE ratio for maize with soil application of 100 per cent RDF were maintained separately for comparison. Drip irrigation at 100 % PE once in 3 days resulted in significantly higher grain yield of maize followed by irrigation at 75 % PE. Drip fertigation at 150 per cent RDF (225: 112.5: 112.5) with P through water soluble fertilizer registered significantly higher grain yield. Considering the high cost of water soluble fertilizers, drip irrigation at 100 per cent PE with fertigation level of 125 per cent RDF with P as basal could be an alternative option to realize a reasonably good yields in maize.

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