Evaluation of Stage-Wise Deficit Furrow Irrigation Application on Water Advance - Recession Time and Maize Yield Components at Koga Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia

Well-organized irrigation management has an imperative role for integrated water resources management. Deficit irrigation water application is among the most effective water management solutions. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the performance of stage-wise deficit irrigation (DI) application on water advance - recession time and maize yield components. Maize (Melkassa-4 type) was selected as test crop as it is known to respond well to deficit irrigation. The experiment was conducted at Koga Irrigation Scheme, Blue Nile River Basin. The field experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The result showed that level of stage-wise deficit irrigation water application had a significant (P<0.05) impact on mean advance time. The maximum advance rate across growth stages (0.144 m/s) was noted during the development stage. Effect of stage-wise application level had a significant (P<0.05) effect on agronomic parameters. The maximum (147.3 cm) and minimum (4.3 cm) plant height were recorded during late season and first growing stage at full irrigation level (Dall,0 (T6)) and application of 0.25ETc (Dall,75 (T4)) throughout the growth stages, respectively. Maximum (8.55cm) and minimum (3.17 cm) stalk diameter at knee height were obtained in treatment Dall,0 (T6) and Dall,75 (T4). Maximum (2) and minimum (1.07) number of ears per plant were obtained in full irrigation treatment (Dall,0 (T6)) and 0.25ETc irrigation treatment (Dall,75 (T4)) throughout the growing season, respectively. The highest yield (58.92 qt/ha) was obtained when full irrigation was applied in all growth stages. The maximum (164.28 qt/ha) and minimum (130.34 qt/ha) aboveground biomass were obtained when 100% of ETc and 0.25 of ETc were applied starting from the first to the end growth stages. Keywords: Agronomic parameters, Deficit irrigation, Koga irrigation scheme, Stage-wise, Water advance - recession time