Optimizing pulsed and continuous drip irrigation strategies to enhance yield and water productivity of silage maize in semi-arid regions

This study examined the effects of pulsed and continuous irrigation levels and techniques on the biological yield and water productivity of silage maize (ZP606 cultivar) in Varamin, Iran, during the summer of 2018. A split-strip plot design with three replications included four irrigation levels (I2, I1, I3, and I4), providing 120%, 100%, 80%, and 60% of the crop water requirement, respectively. The highest biological yield (26 ton ha⁻¹) and fresh yield (86.67 ton ha⁻¹) were obtained under the over-irrigation pulsed treatment (PI2), while the highest water productivity (6.72 kg m⁻³) occurred under the deficit pulsed treatment (PI3). Average ETa under full irrigation was 352.75 mm, increasing to 368.35 mm with over-irrigation and decreasing to 357 mm and 293 mm under 80% and 60% irrigation, respectively. Pulsed irrigation reduced deep percolation by 30% compared with continuous irrigation in over-irrigated conditions. Based on yield and water productivity, PI3 is recommended for water-limited areas to save about 20% of water, while PI2 is suitable where maximum yield is desired. These findings highlight the potential of pulsed irrigation to improve water efficiency, minimize losses, and support sustainable maize production in arid and semi-arid regions.