Performance Evaluation Of Drip Irrigation System Using Sweet Corn Under Variable Water Application

ABSTRACT

Gravitational drip irrigation system was developed using available materials. The system

consisting of 4.0 Ilhr Netafim pressure-compensating emitters was used to irrigate 0.0015 ha of land

where sweet com was planted under variable water applications in a randomised complete block design

with three treatments. Treatment one (WI) received water once per week, treatment two (W2) received

water twice per week, while third treatment (W3) received water thrice per week. WI received 229mm per

emitter; W2 received 437mm per emitter, while 653mm per emitter was applied to W3 throuqhout the

experimentation period. Total biomass yield including bulk weight, stem weight, root weight and cob yield

were determined Llsing top loading digital weighing balance. Results obtained which were subjected to

statistical analysis at 5% significant level show that there were significant differences in the crop growth,

biomass and cob yield. Watering thrice per week resulted in the highest leaf area, plant hei9.ht, root depth

and weight. However, watering twice per week provided the highest fresh" weight and cob yield. The irervi

in biomass yield showed that W2 performed better. Watering twice per week appeared optimum -(or

. cultivation of sweet corn during water scarce season in Ibadan, Nigeria.