SCHEDULING IRRIGATION OF MAIZE BY USING THE EVAPORATION PAN METHOD

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at the field of the Agric. Administration of Shebeen El-Kanater District, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt in 1997 and 1998 seasons. The aim of the experiments was to study the effects of scheduling irrigation of maize according to the Class "A" Pan Evaporation recordes under three planting dates (May 15, June I ' and June 15), three irrigation regimes (at 1.3, 1.0 and 0.7 accumulative Pan Evaportion) and two maize cultivars (S.C.IO and T.W.C.310) on growth, yield and its components, grain quality characters and water relations of the crop.

The experiments were carried out in a clay loamy soil. , The design of the experiments was split-split plot with four replications. Main plots were devoted for planting dates, the sub­ plots for irrigation regimes and sub-sub plots to maize cultivars. , . 2 The sub-sub plot area was 42 m .

All cultural practices for growing maize were carried out as recommended for the region. The irrigation treatments were• applied after the first irrigation till the end of the growing season.. The first irrigation was applied 20 days from planting in all . regunes. Results could be sununarized as follows:

I. Growth characters:

1- Planting maize on first June increased plant height, ear height, leaves number/plant, ear diameter, area of topmost ear leaf, leaves dry weight % per plant, stem dry weight % per plant, and dry weight of plant at 90 days from planting.