STRATEGIC PLANNING OF IRRIGATION AND PLANTING GEOMETRY FOR HYBRID MAIZE: A PATH TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND WATER SAVING

International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 231 Original Article STRATEGIC PLANNING OF IRRIGATION AND PLANTING GEOMETRY FOR HYBRID MAIZE: A PATH TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND WATER SAVING M.H. Ali*, M.A. Islam Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh * Corresponding author, email: hossain.ali.bin[email protected] International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT ©2025 RS Publication Paper ID: IJRES694A4490A09DA Published: 2025-12-24 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.1804 6486 Page No: 231-247 A field study was conducted in Sherpur and Natore district of Bangladesh, to evaluate the effects of different irrigation regimes on the yield and water productivity of hybrid maize. Five irrigation treatments and three cultivars were tested in a factorial arrangement. The results showed significant variation of grain yield across treatments and locations. Averaged over locations, T3 (3 irrigations at 25, 45 and 65 Days after sowing plus twin-row, plus 30% excess fertilizer application) produced the highest yield (13.67 t ha⁻¹), representing an 11.9% increase over T1 (4 irrigations), while T5 (only one life irrigation) produced the lowest yield (11.15 t ha⁻¹). Water use varied markedly, with T3 and T2 requiring 15 cm of irrigation water (25% savings over T1), T4 requiring 12 cm (40% savings), and T5 only 6 cm (70% savings). Although T5 achieved maximum water savings, the associated yield loss indicates that excessive deficit irrigation is unsuitable for optimizing production. The results highlight that extreme water deficit reduces productivity, whereas moderate savings, as in T3, optimize the yield–water trade-off. Performance trends were consistent at both sites, indicating that T3’s irrigation strategy is suitable across different agro-ecological zones. Among cultivars, grain yield varied significantly, with DURJOY (12.57 t ha⁻¹) and Five Star (12.18 t ha⁻¹) outperforming BARI Hybrid Maize 17 (9.99 t ha⁻¹). Combining optimal management practices similar to T3 with high-yielding cultivars such as DURJOY or Five Star could substantially enhance maize productivity in the study area. Keywords: Maize, planting geometry, twin-row, water use, profitability. Cite This Paper: Md. Hossain Ali and M.A. Islam (2025). "STRATEGIC PLANNING OF IRRIGATION AND PLANTING GEOMETRY FOR HYBRID MAIZE: A PATH TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND WATER SAVING". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING & SCIENCE (IJRES), vol. 9, no. 6, 2025, pp. 231-247. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18046486 International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 232 Original Article 1. INTRODUCTION Approximately 70–75% of all freshwater withdrawals worldwide are related to agriculture (Ali et al., 2023). Nearly 60% more food will be required by 2050 to meet the food, fiber, feed, and energy demands of the fast-expanding population, despite the fact that food production has expanded by more than 100% in the last 30 years. By 2050, food production in irrigated land area will need to expand by more than 50%, while present analyses and projections of the world's water supply and demand only allow for a 10% increase in water withdrawal by agriculture (FAO, 2017). It is therefore necessary to boost agricultural production's water efficiency, which has been and will be a major challenge for agriculture, given the growing need for food and water while having limited resources, particularly water. Crop production failure is more likely now because of declining global irrigation and water resources and unpredictable precipitation because of its intraand inter-annual variability. In these situations, limited or deficit irrigation might offer crucial strategic choices for improving agricultural water use efficiency (Fereres and Soriano, 2007; Ali et al., 2007). Hybrid maize is essential for the manufacture of maize products, which are used as industrial feedstock, animal feed, and human nourishment (Jiang et al., 2020). A good environment is necessary for the production and cultivation of hybrid maize, but so are proper administration and direction (Bedő and Barnabás, 2013). The optimization of management strategies to attain high yields and water use efficiency (WUE) has thus been the subject of numerous studies (Shi et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2021; Ali et al., 2023). Maize (Zea mays L.) has emerged as one of the most important cereal crops in Bangladesh due to its growing demand in the feed, food, and industrial sectors. Both local and imported hybrid varieties which are grown in Bangladesh to study the effect of irrigation regimes on the yield and yield contributing characters of maize. Among the different types of maize, hybrid maize offers significantly higher yield potential compared to local and open-pollinated varieties. The growth of maize has increased faster than any other crop in Bangladesh, probably due to its year round production, high yield and less susceptible to high temperature and other natural hazards (Shaha et al., 2010). In recent years, its cultivation has been expanding rapidly, particularly in marginal ecosystems such as Charland areas—riverine islands and floodplain lands formed by sediment deposition. These International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 233 Original Article Charland areas, despite having fertile alluvial soils, present unique challenges for crop production due to their vulnerability to moisture stress, erratic rainfall, and limited access to irrigation. According to Tilman et al. (2002) and Valipour et al. (2015), better management practices including fertilization, pesticide application, and water management have doubled world food output over the last 50 years. By 2050, there will be almost 9 billion people on the planet, and the FAO predicts that the need for food will rise by 60% (Bijl et al., 2017). However, there is a shortage of arable land worldwide, making it difficult to improve food production through enhanced land productivity on the restricted amount of arable land available (Li et al., 2019, Yang et al., 2022). Efficient irrigation management is critical in ecosystems where water resources are often scarce and unevenly distributed (Islam et al., 2024). Improper irrigation not only limits yield potential but also reduces water productivity—defined as the ratio of crop yield to the amount of water used. Optimizing irrigation scheduling, frequency, and method can significantly enhance both grain yield and water use efficiency, making crop production more profitable and sustainable in these vulnerable regions (Ali, 2017). Rahman et al (2015 ) concluded that minimum tillage with two-time irrigation treatment combination is the best suit for maximum water resources saving in maize cultivation without compromising with yield in Bangladesh at dry season (Rabi). Bhuiyan et al. (2015) studied the performance of hybrid maize varieties as influenced by irrigation regimes (2, 3 and 4 irrigations). They found maximum yield with 4 irrigations applied at 25, 50, 75, and 100 days after sowing. They also noted that two, three and four irrigation increased yields by an additional 16.9, 6.7 and 4.3% respectively. Water savings can be achieved by applying two or three irrigations which increased yield without significantly reducing yield compared to four irrigations. Khan et al. (2018) studied the effects of irrigation levels on maize hybrid genotypes at BARI research station, Barishal. They noted that for the growth and yield variables, the irrigation and varietal treatments employed different degrees of influence; some variables differed significantly while others differed insignificantly. The interaction effect between irrigation and variety had significant effect on the grain yield of maize in most cases. The highest grain yield of 15.68 t/ha was obtained from 4 irrigations (applied at initial (20-25 DAS), vegetative (50-60 DAS), silking (75-80 DAS), and grain filling stage (110-120 DAS)) and the lowest of 5.94 t/ha was International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 234 Original Article obtained from 75% irrigation at 20-25, 50-60, and 75-80 DAS. Islam et al. (2022) investigated the combined effects of irrigation, tillage and mulch on maize yield in a drought prone area, Chapainawabganj district of Bangladesh. They obtained highest yield from minimum tillage and mulch (rice straw) as well as 3 irrigations (applied at 32, 55 and 85 DAS) than conventional tillage with no mulch and any level of irrigation. The results indicate that, the response of maize to irrigation levels varies with soil type, local climate (specially ET demand), variety, etc., which demand location specific study for real results. While several studies have addressed irrigation strategies for traditional cropping systems in Bangladesh, limited research exists on irrigation management tailored specifically for hybrid maize in alluvial deposits. Considering the increasing economic and food security importance of hybrid maize, there is a pressing need to develop scientifically validated irrigation practices that maximize yield and conserve water in these fragile ecosystems. This study aims to investigate the effects of different irrigation regimes on the yield and water productivity of hybrid maize grown in Natore and Sherpur districts of Bangladesh. The findings will contribute to the development of resource-efficient irrigation strategies, thereby promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture in these areas. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Study Area Field experiments were conducted in two locations, namely Natore ( 24.35 0 N, 89.08 0 E) and Sherpur 25.07 0 N, 90.15 0 E), during Rabi season (Dec. - April) of 2023-24. The sites are characterized by sandy loam alluvial soils. The region experiences a subtropical climate with a dry winter season and erratic rainfall. The climatic conditions of the locations during crop growing period are depicted in Fig.1.1 and Fig.1.2, respectively. Groundwater is the primary source of irrigation during the dry months. International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 235 Original Article Fig.1.1. Climatic condition of Natore location during the crop period 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56 61 66 71 76 81 86 91 96 101 106 111 116 121 126 131 136 141 146 151 Rainfall (mm) Days after sowing Rainfall (mm) Natore, 2023-24 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Tmax (0C) Days after sowing Tmax Natore, 2023-24 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Tmin (0C) Days after sowing Tmin Natore, 2023-24 International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 236 Original Article Fig.1.2. Climatic condition of Sherpur location during the crop period 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56 61 66 71 76 81 86 91 96 101 106 111 116 121 126 131 136 141 146 Rainfall (mm) Days after sowing Rainfall (mm) Sherpur, 2023-24 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Tmax (0C) Days after sowing Tmax Sherpur, 2023-24 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Tmin (0C) Days after sowing Tmin Sherpur, 2023-24 International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 237 Original Article 2.2 Experimental Design and Treatments The methodological approach was designed to evaluate the most efficient irrigation schedule for maximizing hybrid maize yield and water productivity under the specific soil and climatic conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement of the treatments and with three replications. The main-plot treatments consisted of 5 irrigation regimes: The irrigation treatments were: T 1 = Control (4 irrigations, Irrigation at 30-55-80-120 days after sowing, suggested by CYMIT 2013) T 2 = Irrigation at 3075 -110 days after sowing (3 irrigations) T 3 = Irrigation at 3075 -110 days after sowing (3 irrigations) plus additional management (with twinline*, and 30% excess fertilizer of recommended dose) T 4 = Irrigation at 70% depletion of available soil moisture (ASM) T 5 = one life irrigation *Twin-line: spacing pattern: 60 cm – (40 cm – 40 cm) – 60 cm - (40 cm – 40 cm) – 60 cm - ...... Normal line spacing: 60 cm – 60 cm – 60 cm ........ The Cultivars were: V 1 = BARI hybrid maize17 V 2 = hybrid maize DURJOY V 3 = hybrid maize Five Star Each plot measured 4 m × 5 m with a 1 m buffer zone between plots to prevent water movement across treatments. 2.3 Crop Management The hybrid maize cultivars were sown in the first week of December. Standard agronomic practices, including land preparation, fertilization (as per BWMRI recommendations), weeding, and pest International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 238 Original Article management, were uniformly applied across all treatments. Irrigation was applied as per treatment schedules. The grain moisture was adjusted to 14% according to Ali (2010): )100( )100( * M M Y i t i adj Y   where M i the initial moisture content, Y i the initial yield (at M i moisture content), M t the targeted moisture content (say, 12 %), and Y adj the adjusted yield (at M t % moisture content). 2.5 Statistical Analysis All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures with the help of statistical software of IRRI, STAR. Treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% level of significance. 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Natore location The mean effects of treatments and cultivars on grain yield and yield attributes are presented in Table 1. Treatment effects Plant height and grain yield were significantly influenced by treatments, whereas cob diameter and cob length remained statistically unaffected (Table 1). The tallest plants (83.67 cm) were recorded in T3, which was statistically similar to T1 (76.11 cm) but significantly taller than T2, T4, and T5. The shortest plants (67.89 cm) occurred in T5. Cob diameter ranged from 4.77 cm to 5.87 cm, and cob length from 15.01 cm to 16.56 cm, with no significant differences among treatments. International Journal of Research in Engineering & Science ISSN:(P) 2572-4274 (O) 2572-4304 Available online on http://rspublication.com/IJRES/IJRE.html volume 9 Number 6, 2025 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18046486 ©2025 RS Publication, [email protected] 239 Original Article Table 1. Mean effects of treatments and cultivars on yield attributing characters and yield at Natore, during 2022-23 Treatment Plant Height (cm) Cob diameter (cm) Cob Length (cm) Grain yield (t ha -1 ) T 1 76.11ab 4.82a 16.26a 10.83 T 2 73.67b 5.87a 15.01a 10.50 T 3 83.67a 4.82a 15.87a 11.75 T 4 71.00b 4.77a 16.13a 10.42 T 5 67.89b 4.78a 16.56a 9.59 F-test (at 5%) S NS NS S Cultivars BARI Hybrid Maize 17 (V 1 ) 76.39a 5.88 13.03b 9.18 DURJOY (V 2 ) 73.06a 4.79 17.54a 11.56 Five Star (V 3 ) 71.39a 4.77 17.04a 11.20 F-test (at 5%) NS NS S S Note: Means with the same letter(s) are not significantly (statistically) different at 5% probability level by Tukeys’s Honest Significant Difference (THSD) test. Grain yield showed significant variation among the treatments. The treatment T3 produced the highest yield (12.78 t ha⁻¹), which is statistically similar to T1 (11.78 t ha⁻¹), T2 (11.42 t ha⁻¹), and T4 (11.33 t ha⁻¹), but significantly higher than T5 (10.43 t ha⁻¹). 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