Effects of Drip and Furrow Irrigation Systems Application on Growth Characteristics and Yield of Sweet Maize under Sandy Loam Soil

The study is the application of drip and furrow irrigation systems for several weeks in the cultivation of sweet maize under sandy loam soil. The effects of the systems on growth characteristics and yields were evaluated. To achieve these, the experiment was laid out in a 2 x 5 factorial design in two systems and five duration of weeks after planting (WAP) in three replicates. Amounts of irrigation water were calculated and pre-irrigation was done one week prior to planting. Subsequent irrigation was applied at two days interval on drip and three days interval on furrow. The growth characteristics (plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and leaf surface area) were measured at 2 WAP, 4 WAP, 6 WAP, 8 WAP and 10 WAP. The ANOVA results showed that the two irrigation systems had significant effect on the growth characteristics except stem girth. The weeks after planting had significant effect on all the growth characteristics. Turkeys test showed no significant comparative difference between drip and furrow at 2 – 6 WAP except in leaf surface area but showed significant difference between the systems at 8 – 10 WAP. The yields were harvested at maturity after fourteen weeks. Drip system gave 5941.2 kg/ha of maize while 3782 kg/ha for furrow. ANOVA result showed significant difference in yield between the systems. Turkeys test showed that furrow is significantly lower in comparison to drip. Therefore, drip irrigation system is recommended as more effective irrigation system.