TITLE:
Effect of Moisture Conservation Methods and Plant Density on the Productivity of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties under Semi-Arid Tropics of Hamelmalo, Eritrea
AUTHORS:
Shimendi Gde Okbagabir, N. N. Angiras, Biniam Mesfin Ghebreslassie
KEYWORDS:
Eritrea, Moisture Conservation Methods, Maize Varieties, Water Use Efficiency
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.1,
December
31,
2016
ABSTRACT: The productivity of maize in Eritrea in general and under semi-arid tropics of
Hamelmalo in particular is low because of moisture stress. The low moisture
content is ascribed to the low and erratic distribution of rainfall, high temperature,
lack of suitable varieties, and competition by weeds and low soil fertility.
To overcome some of these problems, a field experiment was carried out to
assess the effect of moisture conservation methods (MCM) and plant density
on the productivity of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties under semi-arid
tropics of Hamelmalo, Eritrea. The experiment was conducted in split-split
plot design with three MCM viz tied ridge, ridge and furrow and flat-bed in
main plots; two maize varieties viz early local and 04sadve hybrid in sub plots
and three plant densities by manipulating the plant to plant distance viz 35
cm, 25 cm and 15 cm at a fixed 75 cm row spacing in sub-sub plots, each replicated
thrice. The experiment was focused in addressing the effective moisture
conservation techniques, optimum plant density to each variety thus to
improve productivity. The crop experienced 10°C to 34.8°C minimum and
maximum temperature, respectively and received 429.1 mm total rainfall. The
results of the experiment indicated that among all the combinations, 04sadve
hybrid variety sown at 75 cm × 25 cm spacing in ridge and furrow method or
at 75 cm × 15 cm spacing in tied ridge or flat-bed method and early local variety
sown at 75 cm × 15 cm spacing in flat-bed being statistically at par resulted
in significantly higher moisture conservation and consequently higher
grain yield (4509 kg·ha-1) and higher water use efficiency. It is, therefore,
recommended that tied ridge or flat-bed of moisture conservation method at
15 cm plant spacing and 04sadve is preferable to optimize productivity in
Hamelmalo area, Eritrea.