Design and evaluation of a simple PVC drip irrigation system using akposoe maize variety as a test crop
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Date
2011-06-19
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Abstract
Maize (Zea mays, L.) is an important staple crop and has contributed significantly in ensuring food security and the growth of Ghana’s economy. Its productivity over the years has been limited by unpredictable rainfall pattern. The experiment was conducted to design and evaluate a simple PVC drip irrigation system using akposoe maize variety as a test crop, during the 2011 major growing season in a semi-decidous environment in Kumasi, Ghana. Irrigation water applied at the surface (0 cm), 20 cm, and 40 cm below surface, with “No irrigation” as control forming the four treatments. The design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and was replicated four times. The depth at which irrigation water is applied significantly influenced maize growth and dry matter yield. Ten weeks after planting, water applied at 20 cm depth below the ground surface, produced the tallest plant (177.85 cm), biggest stem girth (8.95 cm ) and highest dry matter yield (6085.06 kg/ha). The highest number of leaves (13.15) was recorded in the treatment where water was applied 20 cm below surface and at 0 cm depth. The treatment with water applied at 40 cm depth recorded the largest leaf diameter (9.73 cm) and the longest leaf length (73.59 cm).The “No Irrigation” treatment gave the shortest plant height (132.77 cm), smallest stem girth (6.77 cm), lowest number of leaves (10.40), smallest leaf diameter (7.06 cm), lowest leaf length (58.67 cm) and the lowest dry matter (2296.95 kg/ha). In general, plant height, stem girth, leaf diameter, number of leaves and leaf length under drip irrigation were statistically similar, but significantly different as compared to No Irrigation treatment and surface and subsurface ( i.e. 40 cm, 20 cm and 0 cm) water treatments. Generally the depth at which water is applied had a statistically significant effect on maize growth and yield.
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A Thesis submitted to the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Soil and Water Engineering, 2011