Integrated Effect of Mulching and Furrow Methods on Maize Yield and Water Productivity at Koka, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Koka research station, Ethiopia, 8°26’ N latitude, 39°02’ E longitude and 1602 m.a.s.l. based on the objective to select most effective water saving techniques and improve water productivity of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.). Three types of furrow irrigation methods (alternate, fixed and conventional furrow irrigation methods) and two mulch types and no mulch with three replications were used as two factors to evaluate the yield and yield component including water use efficiency of maize in split-plot design. Different types of irrigation method highly significantly (p<0.01) affected all the studied parameters of yield and yield components of maize at Koka both season except number of grains per cob. Moreover, maize growth, yield and yield components were highly significantly (p<0.01) influenced due to different mulch types used. However, there was no interaction effect due to the two factors studied (irrigation type and mulching type). Significantly a higher growth, yield and yield component of maize was recorded due to conventional furrow irrigation method than alternate and fixed furrow irrigation method. However, higher water use efficiency was obtained due to alternate furrow irrigation method. Moreover, higher growth, yield and yield components including water use efficiency were obtained due to plastic mulch than no mulch and straw mulch for maize at koka. Therefore, for maximizing grain yield under no water stress scenario, irrigation of maize with conventional furrow irrigation methods could be used. On the other hand, under limiting irrigation water resource condition, irrigation of maize could be done with alternate furrow irrigation method with plastic mulch application to minimize evaporation loss and maximize water productivity of maize at Koka and similar agro-ecology and soil type.