Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

A study was conducted to assess the irrigation water requirement of maize crop for different tillage practices. Irrigation water was applied at three-growth stages viz. treatment one (I₁), 20-25 days after sowing (DAS), treatment two (I₂), 45-50 DAS and treatment three (I₃), 80-85 DAS. Under I₁ irrigation treatment with zero (T₁), minimum (T₂) and traditional (T₃) tillage practices, the seasonal water requirement was 26.3, 29.3 and 31.0 cm respectively. In I₂ treatment with T₁, T₂ and T₃ tillage practices, water requirement was 34.5, 37.5 and 42.5 cm respectively and in I₃ treatment with T₁, T₂ and T₃ tillage practices, water requirement were 46.3, 51.3 and 60.0 cm respectively. The highest yield was in I₃ treatment (8.3 t ha^-1) which was similar to I₂ treatment (8.2 t ha^-1) and the lowest was in I₁ treatment (7.3 t ha^-1). In this study, no significance different was found in I₂ and I₃ treatment but in I₃ treatment required more 42 cm water than I₂. From the economical analysis, the highest net return (USD/ha 1501.45) and the highest benefit cost ratio (3.1) were found in T₂I₂ treatment combination. Therefore, T₂I₂ (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).