Effect of deficit irrigation on plant growth parameter of sweet corn crop under drip irrigation

Abstract

A field experiment is carried out to study the effect of deficit irrigation on plant growth parameters of sweet corn crop under drip irrigation with different irrigation treatments. The treatments are T1 (0.6 ETC), T2 (0.7 ETC), T3 (0.8 ETC), T4 (0.9 ETC), T5 (1.0 ETC) & T6 (traditional watering method). Measurement of plant height at every 15 days interval from the day of sowing and days to obtain maturity has been recorded. The result showed that drip irrigation at 1.0 ETC (T5) recorded tallest plant height at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS having value of 33.25, 72.75, 110.5, 172.5 and 184.25 cm respectively. Deficit of water in maize plant will results in slow growth and development which in turn delays the kernels setting and maturation of kernels. Maturation of sweet corn cobs varied significantly with different irrigation levels. T1 matured lately (79 DAS) when compared with T5 (75 DAS). One way ANOVA is carried out to compare the means of plant height at every 15 days interval and replications for maturation days at 5% level of significance. It showed that there is a significant difference between irrigation levels at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS for plant height and for maturation days with value of p