IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR MAIZE CROP IN SANDY SOILS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Agric. Eng., Res. Inst., ARC. Dokki, Giza, Egypt

2 Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were carried out at the National Irrigation Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (AEnRI), ARC, Dokki, Giza to test the performance of trickle irrigation. The emitters were tested and calibrated under different operating pressure (0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 bar). All measurements were done according to ISO 9621 for evaluating drip flow rates. Also, the emitter flow variation, emotion uniformity and coefficient of variations were measured. In sandy soils, deep percolation, decrease in retention of moisture, compost condoner, rice straw and polymer were added to improve the physical properties of soil for keep water along time. Maize grows best on fertile and well-drained loamy soils. Proper management of inputs particularly irrigation water using modern technology is essential for maximizing production and for providing high return to farmers. This study were done for management of maize crop in sandy soil with three types of emitters (GR, antiroot GR and T-tape). While fields experiments were carried out during the agricultural season 2014/2015 at El-Husien farm in Alexandria-Cairo desert road. In harvest stage, ears were counted in all lines and weighted to know the yield. This study were done for management for maize crop in sandy soil with three types of emitters (GR, antiroot GR and T-tape). Compost condioner, rice straw and polymer was added to improve the physical properties of soil for keep water along time. Field results showed that antiroot GR emitter was the highest productivity with compost (3762 kg/fad.) whereas stalk lengh was 1.9 m and diameter was 37mm and has 17 leaves. The lowest productivity was antiroot emitter with polymer which valued 990kg/fad., and stalk lengh was 1.5 m and diameter was 35 mm and has 14 leaves. The middle in productivity was t-tabe with compost (2354 kg/fad.) and stalk lengh was 1.77 m and diameter was 35mm and has 15 leaves. Using compost with t-tape sub-surface drip system give good yield but using compost with antiroot GR sub-surface drip system give the best yield. Using compost with antiroot GR sub-surface drip system give good yield but using compost with antiroot GR sub-surface drip system give the best yield. Using polymer with antiriot GR sub-surface drip system give the lowest yield value.

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