Effects of drought, fertilizer and muclh on maize biomass and some soil properties

A decrease of water resources around the globe in irrigated agriculture has resulted in a steep decline in irrigation water availability. Therefore, management options for efficient use of available irrigation water are inevitable. In addition to that, the judicious use of combinations of organic and inorganic resources is a feasible approach to overcome soil fertility constraints. Hence, effects of drought, fertilizer and mulch on maize biomass and some soil properties were examined in a green house. The objective was to determine measures which will enhance resistance to drought and increase maize biomass with improved soil conservation. Twelve treatments were considered by varying irrigation, mulch, and fertilizer. Experimental results revealed that: (i) Mulch application increased Water Used Efficiency (WUE) by 30.18% and 34.80% under full irrigation in 2005 and 2006. (ii) Mulch decreased under ground biomass by 21, 30.20 and 2.4% under full irrigation, mild, and serious stress. (iii) The use of fertilizer alone increases underground biomass by 16.98 and 32.19% in 2005 and 2006. (iv) Mulch application reduced soil bulk density by 1.53% under mild stress treatment.