Bewässerungs- und Entwässerungssystemtechnik

Evaluating the Effect of Soil Moisture Conservation and Management Practices on Yield and Yield Components of Maize Crop in the Midlands of Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Chimdessa GC, Bedaso N and Eshetu M

A field experiment was undertaken from 2015 to 2017 G.C., during Gana (from August to December) cropping season to study the effects of in situ moisture conservation and management on yield and yield components of improved maize variety (Melkasa II) at lowland of Bale (Goro and Ginnir districts), southeastern Ethiopian. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) using three treatments (flat bed, ridging and furrow with ties, and ridging and furrow without ties (open furrow)) with three replications. The plot size for the treatments was 8 m × 6 m (48 m²). The results revealed that out of the different in situ moisture conservation measures ridging and furrow with ties for Goro District and ridging and furrow without ties (open furrow) for Ginnir district resulted in significantly higher yield improvement over the famers’ practice (flatbed). The highest maize biomass yield of 6.0 t ha^-1 which is 29% higher and grain yield of 5.3 t ha^-1 which is 28% over flatbed was recorded under ridging and furrow with ties for Goro district. Whereas ridging and furrow without ties (open furrow) gave the highest grain yield of 8.8 t ha^-1 (64%) and 11.6 t ha^-1 (28%) for Harawa I and Ebisa of Ginnir district. Moreover, practices of in situ moisture conservation of both ridging and furrow with ties for Goro and open furrow for Ginnir districts resulted in significantly higher plant height, number of ear per plant, ear length, number of kernel per ear (NKPE), biomass, grain yield, thousand kernel weight of “Malkasa II” maize variety. The present study recommended both ridging and furrow with ties and furrow and furrow without ties (open furrow) for mitigation of low moisture at Goro and Ginnir districts, respectively for production of maize.