Yield, Water Productivity and Economics of Rabi Maize as Influenced by Different Nitrogen Fertigation Levels

Background: Food security is a growing global concern as increasing population and consumption drive higher food and water demand. Efficient use of water and fertilizers is crucial to ensure sustainable food production, given the low fertilizer use efficiency worldwide. Drip irrigation emerges as a highly effective method for addressing these challenges, as it enhances crop yields while using less water and reducing tillage costs. Additionally, this practice minimizes fertilizer application and significantly improves fertilizer use efficiency, supporting both productivity and sustainability. Methods: A field trial was conducted on clay soils of Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Guntur to study the effect of different nitrogen fertigation levels at different stages of maize on yield, total water use, water saving and water saving impact and water productivity of maize during rabi 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in RBD with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. The test hybrid used in the present experiment was Pioneer 3396. Result: The results revealed that kernel and stover yield were significantly superior with the application of 100 % RDN through fertigation. The highest water use was observed in the treatment that received 100 % RDN through soil application under surface irrigation. Water saving impact i.e., the amount of yield loss per unit of water saved was more under the treatment that received 50% fertigation up to 75 DAS and it was followed by the treatment that received 50% fertigation up to 60 DAS. The water productivity recorded under the treatment fertigated with 100% RDN up to 90 DAS was significantly the highest when compared with that of surface irrigation and other treatments.