Assessment of Productive and Irrigation Efficiency of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Under Drip Irrigation and Planting Systems

Abstract A field experiment was conducted on maize ( Zea mays L.) during the autumn growing season, starting on July 22, 2024, in a farmer’s field located in Shumlan village, Hawija District, Kirkuk Province, Iraq. The results revealed that the highest grain yield was achieved at the planting system of 140×10 cm. Regarding irrigation systems, fixed irrigation recorded the highest mean grain yield of 9.048 mg ha −1 . In terms of water consumption, the 70×20 cm spacing resulted in the highest used volume, reached 2708.59 m 3 ha −1 . The fixed irrigation system also recorded the highest water usage at 3220.64 m 3 ha −1 . No significant differences were observed among planting systems concerning water use efficiency; however, fixed irrigation showed the highest water use efficiency at 22.7kg m −3 . Similarly, no significant differences were observed in irrigation efficiency across planting systems. Notably, the fixed partial irrigation system exhibited the highest irrigation efficiency, reached 4.17 kg m −3 . Water availability was significantly affected by planting systems, the 140×10 cm spacing achieved the highest rate (41.312%). Additionally, irrigation systems significantly influenced on the water availability, the fixed partial irrigation system showing the highest rate at 68.874%.