Evaluation of soil moisture sensors and irrigation scheduling in Rabi maize

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food in many regions of the world. In India, maize occupies an area of 10.2million hectares with a productivity of 3057 kg/ha. The per capita water resource availability in the country has been declined from 5300 m3 year-1 in 1951 to 1700 m3 year -1 by the year 2017. Irrigation scheduling using different sensors is important parameter to increase yield of maize crop by saving water. Moisture sensors viz., tensiometer, gypsum block, profile probe, nano sensor (IITB), Soil moisture indicator and IW/CPE ratio installed both under surface and drip irrigation methods. Drip irrigation method was found significantly superior than surface furrow irrigation in terms of growth parameters of maize. Among irrigation scheduling sensors, nano sensors recorded highest growth parameters both under drip and surface irrigation system closely followed by gypsum block. Irrigation scheduled based on nano sensors recorded highest plant height (228.7 cm), highest dry matter production (264.8 g plant -1) over other sensors under drip irrigation method.