The influence of binary irrigation (BI), humic acid (HA), and various saline water on water consumption (WC), water use efficiency (WUE) of corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

"A three factorial field experiment was conducted during autumn 2018, west of Iraq in clay loam soil texture. To study role of humic acid (HA) and binary irrigation (BI) in reducing effects of irrigation with various saline water on the growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.). The study was implemented according to the split-split plot design within the randomized completely block design with three replications. The three factors were saline water (1.34, 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0 dS.m-1), The HA with two levels, ( 0 and 30 kg.ha-1) and two methods of irrigation, i.e., continuous irrigation (CI) and binary irrigation. Corn seeds were planted and irrigated according to the scheduled program based on the American evaporation pan class A. Irrigation depth used in this study was 555 mm. Season-1. The results showed that the BI had saved 50% of the total requirements of fresh water. The highest WUE was 4.30 kg.m-3 when 1.34 dS.m-1 irrigation water and 30 kg.ha-1 of HA were used. The highest WC was at the stage of vegetative growth of (638.4 m3.ha-1) and the lowest was (212.8 m3.ha-1) at germination stage."