Soil moisture depletion as influenced by planting geometry and moisture regimes in rabi maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2016-2017 at Agronomy Research Farm, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) to study soil moisture depletion as influenced by planting geometry and moisture regimes in rabi maize. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications keeping combinations of planting geometry viz., 60 × 10 cm, 60 × 15 cm, 60 × 20 cm, 60 × 25 cm and four moisture regimes viz., 0.6 IW/CPE ratio, 0.9 IW/CPE ratio, 1.2 IW/CPE ratio, 0.9 IW/CPE ratio up to silking and 1.2 IW/CPE ratio for rest of the crop season. Among four planting geometries, highest soil moisture depletion (40.16 cm) was recorded in 60 × 10 cm. Among four moisture regimes, highest soil moisture depletion (45.91 cm) was recorded in 1.2 IW/CPE ratio. With respect to treatment combinations, higher soil moisture depletion (47.8 cm) was recorded in 60 × 10 cm and 1.2 IW/CPE ratio.