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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Assessment of row spacing and emitter flow rate for enhancing growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under subsurface drip irrigation

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15848
Submitted
4 June 2026
Published
30-08-2026

Abstract

Efficient irrigation management plays a critical role in enhancing maize productivity under water-limited conditions, particularly in semi-arid regions where limited water constrains yield potential. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 at the SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, to evaluate the influence of row spacing and emitter discharge rate under subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) on the growth and yield performance of hybrid maize. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with 3 replications, comprising 8 treatments involving combinations of row spacings (30/90, 45/75 and 60/60 cm) and emitter discharge rates [2 and 4 litre per hour (lph)] under SDI, along with surface drip and conventional furrow irrigation. Results revealed significant differences among treatments in all growth parameters, except 100-seed weight and harvest index, which were found to be non-significant. Treatment (T2), comprising 45/75 cm row spacing with 2 lph emitter discharge under SDI, consistently recorded superior leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and yield attributes including 100-seed weight, kernel yield and stover yield. Consequently, T2 achieved the highest grain yield of 7256 kg/ha and stover yield of 12797 kg/ha, followed by treatment (T5) (45/75 cm row spacing with 4 lph emitter discharge). The improved performance was attributed to optimum crop geometry and precise moisture delivery to the root zone, which enhanced physiological processes and assimilate translocation. The study concludes that SDI with 45/75 cm row spacing and 2 lph emitter discharge offers an effective strategy for maximising hybrid maize productivity under water-scarce conditions, indicating that adopting this configuration can help farmers in semi-arid regions achieve higher yields with improved water-use efficiency and reduced irrigation input.

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