Journals
Online ISSN: 2521-0246 | Print ISSN: 2523-0573
Archives
Volume 2 Number 8 August 2018
Water Requirement for Maize Production in Lake Geriyo Irrigation Scheme Yola, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria
Pages: 49-59Authors: B. A. Ankidawa, I. Vanke
Abstract
Maize constitutes one of the most widely consumed food sources in northern Nigeria. Water requirement is a key parameter in obtaining maximum yield for maize output. The research is aimed at assessing the optimum water requirement for Maize production under Basin Irrigation System in Lake Geriyo Irrigation Scheme Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Six different amount of water (100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225 mm) designated as A, B, C, D, E and F was applied to six different basins of the same size of 3m x 3m. Maize (Zea mays) hybrid variety was used as a trial crop. Irrigation interval of seven days was used throughout the period. Three plots were established according to the slope variation of the land with each unit having a different land slope. Double ring infiltrometer was used to determine the infiltration rate of the plots and the value 48 mm/hr was obtained indicated the soil is suitable for irrigation due to its moderate intake rate and the soil textural classification. The net seasonal water requirement for the crop under study range between 539 to 692 mm for all the treatment. Optimum net water requirement of 582 mm and peak evapotranspiration of 14.0 mm/day was obtained in treatment C indicating a fairly good result. Treatments C gave the maximum yield of 13.74 t/ha, while the lowest yield of 9.10 t/ha were obtained at treatment E. An average yield of 10.23t/ha was obtained for all the treatments. Treatment C was found to perform better than all the other treatments in terms of crop yield, revenue generated and production cost, profit realized and cost recovery. Irrigation water cost of USD$19 per hectare per season USD$1.5 per hectare per irrigation) was obtained for treatment C which was moderate as such more economical since maximum yield; highest income and profit were obtained. Treatment E gave the lowest performance. Thus, treatment C with 1800 mm amount of water applied performed above average and is the most suitable and appropriate amount of water to be applied for maximum crop yield for self-sustenance and profit making in irrigation system using 3 m x 3 m basin sizes.
