MODELLING OF IRRIGATION INTERVALS AND TILLAGE METHODS ON SOIL MOISTURE DISTRIBUTION, GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) IN SEMI-ARID REGION, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA
The specific mechanisms by which varying irrigation intervals interact with different tillage systems to impact root development, vegetative growth, and ultimately, yield remain inadequately understood. Additionally, the implications of these interactions for sustainable agricultural practices and resource-efficient water use have not been fully explored. This study aim to model irrigation intervals and tillage methods on soil moisture distribution, growth and yield of maize (zea mays l.) in semi-arid region, Borno state, Nigeria, thereby providing insights into optimizing water management practices for sustainable maize cultivation. This study examined the modeling of irrigation intervals and tillage methods on soil moisture distribution, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under semi-arid conditions. The research addressed a critical gap in knowledge by evaluating the interaction between irrigation scheduling and tillage systems, and their combined effects on soil moisture availability, crop growth, and yield performance. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri (11°47.840′N; 13°12.021′E; 319 m above sea level), where the physico-chemical properties of the soil were determined prior to planting. The study involved five tillage methods: disc harrow (DH), disc plough (DP), double disc harrow (DDH), double disc plough (DDP), and a combination of disc harrow and disc plough (DH + DP), alongside three irrigation intervals of two, four, and six days, including a control. These treatments were factorially combined, replicated three times, and arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), resulting in 54 treatment plots over two cropping seasons. Basins were prepared manually, and standard agronomic practices were followed throughout the experimental period. Data collected included plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, days to 50% tasselling and silking, cob length, cob diameter, cob weight, 1000-seed weight, and seed weight per cob. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), with treatment means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Regression analysis was also applied to develop a predictive model for maize yield. Regression analysis identified 1000-seed weight, cob weight, and cob length as the most significant determinants of yield, collectively explaining over 91% of the variation in maize productivity, while cob diameter and seed weight per cob were less influential. The study further established that a two-day irrigation interval was the most effective for optimal maize growth and yield under semi-arid conditions. Among the tillage systems, double disc ploughing produced the highest yield, whereas zero tillage resulted in the lowest performance. A predictive model for maize yield was developed as follows: Yield = 0.7442CL + 0.01003CL + 0.00265CD + 0.0101CW + 0.01731000SW − 0.00349WSPC. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into optimizing irrigation and tillage practices for sustainable maize production in semi-arid environments. This research is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of these practices across different soil types, maize varieties, and irrigation scheduling methods. Similar studies should also be conducted in other agro-ecological zones of Nigeria to validate the applicability of the findings under varying environmental conditions and to support broader agricultural policy development.Findings from this study provides evidence-based recommendations for famers and policy makers to adopt the two days irrigation interval while the integration of appropriate agronomic principles provides a robust foundation for growth and yield parameters of maize, DDP, DDH, and DH+DP are most effective soil management practices for maximizing maize productivity under water limited conditions, particularly the semi-arid region.
Authors : Maina, K.D., Tya, T.S.K., Umaru, A.B. and Zamdayu, W.J.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 12(1) Date Uploaded : 5th August 2026