Abstract
Limited water resources and successive droughts in Iran have limited crop production. Therefore, modern irrigation methods to increase water use efficiency can become more necessary. A 2-year (2020, 2021) field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of irrigation method and nitrogen fertilizer on maize physiological traits, grain yield, water use efficiency, and soil temperature and moisture. The experimental design was factorial in the randomized complete block with three replicates. The studied irrigation and fertilizer treatments were the four levels of irrigation (wick irrigation, surface irrigation with 50, 70, and 100% of plant water requirement) and the two levels of nitrogen fertilizer (50 and 100% of the recommended urea fertilizer). Totally, wick irrigation with 100% fertilizer increased SPAD, leaf relative water content, leaf porometer, total dry weight, ear dry weight, ear diameter, number of rows per ear, number of grains per ear, and 100-grain weight compared to other treatments. Wick irrigation significantly increased soil moisture and decreased soil temperature compared to surface irrigation with 50, 70, and 100% plant water requirement at a depth of 10 cm. Although there was no significant difference between wick irrigation and 100% surface irrigation regarding grain yield, on average, for both years, wick irrigation reduced water consumption by 57.88% compared to 100% surface irrigation. Furthermore, wick irrigation with 100% fertilizer had the highest water use efficiency. Therefore, wick irrigation with 50% fertilizer application is the best treatment, because water and fertilizer are saved.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The data are available on request from the corresponding author.
References
Ahani H, Jalilvand H, Vaezi J, Sadati SE (2015) Effects of different water stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll content of Elaeagnus rhamnoides. Iran J Plant Physiol 5(3):1403–1410
Al-Ghobari HM, Dewidar AZ (2018) Integrating deficit irrigation into surface and subsurface drip irrigation as a strategy to save water in arid regions. Agric Water Manag 209:55–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.07.010
Allen RG, Pereira LS, Raes D, Smith M (1998) Crop evapotranspiration—guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0490e/x0490e00.htm
Ataee A, Neyshaboori M, Akbari M, Zare-haghi D, Onnabi-Milani A (2018) Evaluation of HYDROUS-2D model for determination of soil moisture distribution under surface and sub-surface drip irrigation of pistachio trees. J Water Res Agricult 32(4):581–595. https://doi.org/10.22092/JWRA.2019.118528
Aydinsakir K, Buyuktas D, Dinç N, Erdurmus C, Bayram E, Yegin AB (2021) Yield and bioethanol productivity of sorghum under surface and subsurface drip irrigation. Agric Water Manag 243:106452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106452
Bhayo WA, Siyal AA, Soomro SA, Mashori AS (2018) Water saving and crop yield under pitcher and wick irrigation methods. Pak J Agric Agric Eng Vet Sci 34(1):68–78
Bibe SM, Jadhav KT, Gite RV (2016) Studies on growth and yield of post kharif maize as influenced by irrigation and fertigation management. J Agric Res Technol 41(3):396–402
Chaturvedi AK, Surendran U, Chandran KM, Dhanya T (2021) Exploring growth, physiological status, yield and water use efficiency of vegetables grown under wick method of irrigation. Plant Physiol Rep 26(1):64–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-020-00565-x
Dangwal KK, Aggarwal M (2019) Irrigation in hilly areas by capillary lift. Int J Innov Technol Explor Eng 6(6):1601–1605. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.l3069.1081219
Dong-liang Q, Tian-tian H, Xue S (2020) Effects of nitrogen application rates and irrigation regimes on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize under alternate partial rootzone irrigation. J Integr Agric 19(11):2792–2806. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63205-1
Emmanuel AA, Abidin MSZ, Mahmud MSA, Buyamin S, Ishak MHI, Rahman MKIA, Zangina U (2020) Performance comparison of experimental IoT based drip and fibrous capillary irrigation systems in the cultivation of cantaloupe plants. Adv Food Nutr Res 1(2):1–12. https://doi.org/10.36877/aafrj.a0000121
Fang Q, Wang Y, Uwimpaye F, Yan Z, Li L, Liu X, Shaob L (2021) Pre-sowing soil water conditions and water conservation measures affecting the yield and water productivity of summer maize. Agric Water Manag 245(28):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106628
Fanish SA, Muthukrishnan P, Jeyaraman S (2011) Effect of drip fertigation and intercrops on yield and water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays) under maize based intercropping system. J Crop Weed 7(2):41–45
Ferrarezi RS, Testezlaf R (2014) Performance of wick irrigation system using self-compensating troughs with substrates for lettuce production. J Plant Nutr 39(1):150–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2014.983127
Ghobadi R, Shirkhani A, Jalilian A (2015) Effects of water stress and nitrogen fertilizer on yield, its components, water and nitrogen use efficiency of corn (Zea mays L.) cv. SC. 704. Agron J (Pajouhesh & Sazandegi) 104:79–87. https://doi.org/10.22092/AJ.2015.105726
Halli HM, Angadi SS (2019) Influence of land configuration and deficit irrigation on nutrient uptake and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.). J Farm Sci 32(4):397–402.
Heidari H, Zarei Z, Mohammadi K (2022) Improving water use efficiency and biomass in maize, foxtail millet and bitter vetch by wick irrigation. Water SA 48(3):264–270,. https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2022.v48.i3.3913
Hu J, Gette G, Fan Zh, Lv H, Zhao Y, Yu Y (2021) Drip fertigation promotes water and nitrogen use efficiency and yield stability through improved root growth for tomatoes in plastic greenhouse production. Agric Ecosyst Environ 313:107379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107379
Huang Y, Zhang Z, Li Zh, Dai D, Li Y (2022) Evaluation of water use efficiency and optimal irrigation quantity of spring maize in Hetao Irrigation District using the Noah-MP Land Surface Model. Agric Water Manag 264:107498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107498
Jayakumara M, Surendranb U, Manickasundaramc P (2014) Drip fertigation effects on yield, nutrient uptake and soil fertility of Bt Cotton in semi arid tropics. Int J Plant Prod 8(3):1735–8043. https://doi.org/10.22069/IJPP.2014.1615
Jodeyri-Heydari N, Liaghat A (2022) Effectiveness of wick irrigation method on yield and water use efficiency on maize in semi-arid area. Environ Water Eng 8(1):122–132. https://doi.org/10.22034/JEWE.2021.287924.1572
Khanna R, Sheshadri T, Chandra S (2018) Effect of drip fertigation on productivity and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) in eastern dry zone of Karnataka, India. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci 7(5):821–825. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.100
Lal R, Stewar BA (2012) Soil water and agronomic productivity. CRC Press
Li G, Zhaob B, Dongb S, Zhang J, Liub P, Lua W (2020) Controlled-release urea combining with optimal irrigation improved grain yield, nitrogen uptake, and growth of maize. Agric Water Manag 227:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2019.105834
Li H, Mei X, Wang J, Huang F, Hao W, Li B (2021) Drip fertigation significantly increased crop yield, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency with respect to traditional irrigation and fertilization practices: A meta-analysis in China. Agric Water Manag 244:106534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106534
Liao X, Su Z, Liu G, Zotarelli L, Cui Y, Snodgrass C (2016) Impact of soil moisture and temperature on potato production using seepage and center pivot irrigation. Agric Water Manag 165:230–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2015.10.023
Lu H, Xue J, Guo D (2016) Efficacy of planting date adjustment as a cultivation strategy to cope with drought stress and increase rainfed maize yield and water-use efficiency. Agric Water Manag 179:227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.09.001
Markwell J, Osterman JC, Mitchell JL (1995) Calibration of the minolta SPAD-502 leaf chlorophyll meter. Photosynth Res 46:467–472
Martínez J, Reca J (2014) Water use efficiency of surface drip irrigation versus an alternative subsurface drip irrigation method. J Irrig Drain Eng 140:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000745
Mohammed AT, Irmak S (2022) Maize response to coupled irrigation and nitrogen fertilization under center pivot, subsurface drip and surface (furrow) irrigation: Soil-water dynamics and crop evapotranspiration. Agric Water Manag 267:107634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107634
Mungai MM, Wariara K, Gathogo HP, Mwibanda WJ, Ochieng AA (2017) Water use and plant growth of selected container grown ornamental plants under capillary wick based irrigation system and conventional irrigation system in Kenya. Int J Agron Agri Res 11(1):32–41
Nikolaeva MK, Maevskaya SN, Voronin PYu (2017) Photosynthetic CO2/H2O gas exchange and dynamics of carbohydrates content in maize leaves under drought. Russ J Plant Physiol 64:536–542. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1021443717030116
Nleya T, Kleinjan J (2019) Corn growth and development. Best Manag Pract:5–8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331683778
Ogola JBO, Wheeler TR, MHarris P (2002) Effects of nitrogen and irrigation on water use of maize crops. Field Crops Res 78:105–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4290(02)00116-8
Orge RF, Sawey DA (2019) Field performance of the capillary wick irrigation (Capillarigation) System for rice-based crops. Int J GEOMATE 17(6):41–49. https://doi.org/10.21660/2019.61.4636
Panison F, Sangoi L, Durli MM, Leolato LS, Coelho AE, Kuneski HF, de Liz VO (2019) Timing and splitting of nitrogen side-dress fertilization of early corn hybrids for high grain yield. Rev Bras Cienc Solo 43:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657rbcs20170338
Rastegar MA (2009) Dry farming. Berehmand Press, Tehran, p 370
Rezaei Sokht-Abandani R, Siadat SA, Pazoki A, Lak Sh, Mojaddam M (2020) Effect of drought stress, different levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer on some physiological and agronomical traits of maize hybrid (Zea mays L. cv. single cross 704). J Plant Ecophysiol 12(40):40–52
Sampathkumar T, Pandian BJ (2010) Efficiency of applied nutrients and Spad values in hybrid maize under drip fertigation. Madras Agric J 97:237–241
Sampathkumar T, Pandian BJ, Jeyakumar P, Manickasundaram P (2014) Effect of deficit irrigation on yield, relative leaf water content, leaf proline accumulation and chlorophyll stability index of cotton–maize cropping sequence. Expl Agric 50(3):407–425. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479713000598
San MY, Thinzar M (2019) Estimation of evapotranspiration using cropwat 8.0 model for taung-nyo dam cultivated area, Myanmar. Invent J Res Technol Eng Manag 3(5):6–12
Sandhu R, Irmak S (2022) Effects of subsurface drip-irrigated soybean seeding rates on grain yield, evapotranspiration and water productivity under limited and full irrigation and rainfed conditions. Agric Water Manag 267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107614
Sandhu OS, Gupta RK, Thind HS, Jat ML, Sidhu HS, Singh Y (2019) Drip irrigation and nitrogen management for improving crop yields, nitrogen use efficiency and water productivity of maize-wheat system on permanent beds in north-west India. Agric Water Manag 219:19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2019.03.040
Semananda NPK, Ward JD, Myers BR (2016) Evaluating the efficiency of wicking bed irrigation systems for small-scale urban agriculture. Sci Hortic 2(4):1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae2040013
Tafrishi SG, Ayenehband A, Tavakoli H, Khorasani SK, Joleini M (2013) Impacts of drought stress and planting methods on sweet corn yield and water use efficiency. J Plant Physiol Breeding 3(2):23–31
Thenmozhi S, Thiyagarajan G, Manikandan M, Bhuvaneswari J (2022) Studies on growth, yield and water use efficiency of maize as influenced by irrigation methods and fertilizer application. Pharma Innov 11(2):1151–1154
Turner NC (1981) Techniques and experimental approaches for the measurement of plant water status. Plant Soil 58(1):339–366. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02180062
Viets FG (1962) Fertilizers and the efficient use of water. Adv Agron 14:223–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60439-3
Wang GY, Hu YX, Liu YX, Ahmad S, Zhou XB (2021) Effects of supplement irrigation and nitrogen application levels on soil carbon–nitrogen content and yield of one-year double cropping maize in subtropical region. Water 13:1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13091180
Wang X, Xing Y (2017) Effects of irrigation and nitrogen on maize growth and yield components. In Global changes and natural disaster management: geo-information technologies, p 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51844-2_5
Wesonga JM, Wainaina C, Ombwara FK, Masinde PW, Home PG (2014) Wick material and media for capillary wick based irrigation system in Kenya. Int J Sci Res 3(4):613–617
Yang W, Shao-feng B, Zhi-ming L, Li-chun W, Yong-jun W, Wen-hua X, Yu Z (2021) Drip irrigation incorporating water conservation measures: Effects on soil water–nitrogen utilization, root traits and grain production of spring maize in semi-arid areas. J Integr Agric 20(12):3127–3142. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63314-7
Yi J, Li H, Zhao Y, Shao M, Zhanga H, Liua M (2022) Assessing soil water balance to optimize irrigation schedules of flood-irrigated maize fields with different cultivation histories in the arid region. Agric Water Manag 265:107543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107543
Zarei Zh, Heidari H (2017) Investigating water use efficiency in sunflower under furrow and wick irrigation methods. Environ Stresses Crop Sci 10(4):521–530. https://doi.org/10.22077/ESCS.2017.56.1014
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
H. Heidari designed the experiment and revised the manuscript. Z. Zarei experimented and wrote the manuscript. S. Jalali and A. Bafkar revised the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Zarei, Z., Heidari, H., Honarmand, S.J. et al. Improving grain yield and water use efficiency in maize by wick irrigation. Irrig Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-023-00906-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-023-00906-2