Interactive Effects of Reduced Irrigation and Coated Fertilizer on Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency of Maize

Abstract

This study investigates the interactive effects of reduced irrigation and coated fertilizer application on nutrient and water use efficiency in maize cultivation. Water scarcity derives the development of resource efficient agricultural practices to maintain crop productivity. In this research, we evaluated the impact of lower levels of irrigation and the application of coated fertilizers on maize growth, yield, and resource use efficiency. Maize is a staple crop with substantial water and nutrient requirements. So, its cultivation optimization is essential for sustainable agriculture in water-limited regions. Various strategies have been explored to enhance nutrient and water use efficiency in maize cultivation. Reduced irrigation involves managing the water application to crops and maintaining growth. Two growing seasons were used for these experiments and the results suggest that a combination of reduced irrigation and coated fertilizers can enhance maize nutrient and water use efficiency, contributing to sustainable maize production A field experiment was conducted on three irrigation levels i.e., 50% available water content (AWC), 75% AWC and 100% AWC along with two level of fertilizer Normal fertilizer  (NF) vs. value added coated fertilizers Zarkhez Plus (ZKZ) on maize followed by randomized complete block design (RCBD) and each treatment was  followed with three replication. Our results revealed that the T6 where 50% available water content was maintained along with ZKZ showed the highest water use efficiency (3.5 kg ha^-1 mm^-1) with minimum yield reduction (16%). The highest yield (10.5 Mg ha^-1) was recorded with T₂ (100% available water application along with ZKZ fertilizer) that was statistically at par with T₄ where 75% available water application along with ZKZ fertilizer was applied and produced 10.3 Mg ha^-1 yield.  It was also observed that the availability of NPK nutrients was more under reduced irrigation with slow-release fertilizer ZKZ as compared to NF with 100% application of available water content. It was concluded that the application of reduced irrigation along with slow-release nutrients fertilizer is the best strategies to combat water shortage and pollution under climate change.