Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges & Opportunities
during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T4a-29P-1540
Enhancing the Productivity of Rainfed Maize Through Different Planting
Methods and Moisture Conservation Practices in The Shivalik Foothill Region
of Punjab
Mandeep Kaur* and Anil Khokhar
Punjab Agricultural University-Regional Research Station, AICRPDA Centre Ballowal Saunkhri,
Balachaur, Punjab 144521- India
*mkabc121@gmail.com
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, after rice and wheat.
It is called the “queen of cereals” due to its higher productivity and diverse uses. Maize is a
major Kharif season crop in the northeastern part of the state, known as the Kandi region which
has an area of 0.393 million hectares. In this region, only 25% area has assured irrigation and in
the remaining area, it is grown as rainfed or with limited irrigation. Erratic rainfall, prolonged
dry spell, late-onset, and early cessation of rain are the major determinant in maize production
during kharif season. Maize is sensitive to both water logging and moisture stress. Moisture
shortage due to prolonged dry spells lead the crop to stressed conditions which affect mineral
nutrition, ion uptake and it also alters crop physiological and biochemical behaviour. Thus, some
cultural practices are required to protect the crop from prolonged dry spells and excess rainfall.
The sowing method is an important factor responsible for soil moisture storage, judicious use of
water, good crop stands and so the crop growth. Planting methods are the most effective
agronomic practices to reduce surface runoff and conserve the moisture in the crop root zone
which can be used during moisture stress. In additionally, to planting methods, some other
cultural practices such as moisture conservation techniques (mulching and earthing up) can help
to cultivate this crop under challenging environments. Earthing up in maize at knee-high stage
reduces competition from weeds and act as soil mulch after drying to conserve soil moisture by
reducing evaporation. This may promote better establishment of crop and delay the surface
drying which results in higher yields. Mulching is also an effective measure to conserve water
and nutrient resources.
Methodology
The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2020 using PMH-1 cultivar in split
plot design with four planting methods (flat planting, ridge planting, bed planting, and
conservation furrow planting) as main plots and three moisture conservation practices (no
intercultural, straw mulch @ 6 t ha -1 and earthing up) as subplot treatments at Ballowal Saunkhri.
628 | Page Resource conservation and rainfed agriculture