Improve water saving and water productivity by new approach of farm management under surface irrigation

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted during summer seasons of 2007 and 2008 at Zankalon Water Research Station, Water Management and Irrigation Systems Research Institute, Egypt. This research aims to study the effect of new approach of farm layout and management under surface irrigation on water saving and yield of corn. Three irrigation and planting treatments were investigated, treatment A used traditional irrigation method (control treatment) with 80 cm width furrows and one row of plants on each ridge with one plant/hill and 22 cm between hills. Treatment B had 80 cm wide furrows with one row planted in the bottom of each furrow with one plant/hill and 22 cm between hills. Treatment C had 160 cm wide furrows with two rows planted in the bottom of each furrow with one plant/hill and 22 cm between hills. Comparisons were based on the growth, yield, yield attributes, water relations, and the net return of the corn crop (cultivar T.W.C310). Comparing to the traditional practice (treatment A) water saving from using treatments B and C were 2467 m3 ha-1 (30.3%) and 4333 m3 ha-1 (53.2%), respectively. Actual evapotranspiration values for treatments A, B and C were 553, 410 and 293 mm respectively. The values of water productivity (kg m-3) were 0.74, 1.13 and 1.73 for A, B and C treatments, respectively. The lowest irrigation cost was observed for method C and the net profit increased by 19% using treatment B and 32% using treatment C. Significant increase in grain yield was achieved, 6% and 9% for the B and C treatments, respectively.