GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF WHITE MAIZE (SAUWMOP T61G) TO DIFFERENT SPACING AND IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES IN RABI SEASON

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dhaka, from October-2019 to March-2020 to investigate the effect of growth and yield response of white maize (SAUWMOP T61G) to different spacing and irrigation frequencies in Rabi season. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Irrigation frequencies (3) viz; I 1 : Irrigation at 20 days interval, I 2 : Irrigation at 25 days interval and I 3 : Irrigation at 30 days interval and Factor B: Different spacings (4) viz; S 1 : 50 cm × 20 cm, S 2 : 50cm × 25cm, S 3 : 60cm × 20cm and S 4 : 60 cm × 25cm. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications. Results indicate intervals that different irrigation frequencies, spacings, and their combination had a significant effect on growth, yield, and yield contributing characters of white maize. In the case of different irrigation frequencies, the maximum cob length plant -1 (17.37cm), cob circumference plant -1 (15.62cm), number of rows cob -1 (14.37), number of grains row -1 (27.88), number of grains cob

(390.29), 1000 grains weight (378.67g), chaff weight cob 1 (18.45g), grain weight cob -1 (93.99g), cob weight plant -1 (11.86g), shell weight cob -1 (124.30 g), grain yield (7.67 t ha -1 ), stover yield (8.79 t ha -1 ) and biological yield (16.46 t ha ) were observed in I 1 (Irrigation given at 20 days interval) treatment. In respect of different spacings, the maximum grain yield (8.19 t ha -1 ) was observed in S 3 (60 cm × 20 cm) treatment compared to other treatments. In the case of different treatment combinations, I 1 S 3 treatment combinations performed best in respect of maximum grain yield (8.66 t ha -1 ) production compared to other treatment combinations and can be used as a recommended treatment for the production of highest grain yield in the AEZ 28 (Agro-ecological zone) soils of Bangladesh.