Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water-use efficiency of maize ( Zea mays L.) under controlled irrigation

• Published in: Agricultural water management 2010-07, Vol.97 (7), p.995-1005
• Main Authors: Adamtey, Noah, Cofie, Olufunke, Ofosu-Budu, K.G., Ofosu-Anim, J., Laryea, K.B., Forster, Dionys
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ammonium sulfate; Biological and medical sciences; composts; corn; Crop water use; Crop water use Water consumption rate Transpiration rate Transpiration efficiency Water-use efficiency; crop yield; dry matter accumulation; fertilizer rates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; grain crops; irrigated farming; irrigation systems; MSW composts; nitrogen; NPK fertilizers; nutrient uptake; organic fertilizers; potassium; profitability; sewage sludge; soil fertility; soil management; transpiration; Transpiration efficiency; Transpiration rate; Water consumption rate; Water-use efficiency; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0378-3774; 1873-2283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2010.02.004

Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce ‘more crops per drop of water’. Notwithstanding this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water-use efficiency, WUE cwu (economic yield per water used) for maize ( Zea mays L.) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency, TE (biomass produced per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rates of N-enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivatives on TE, WUE cwu and yield of maize ( Z. mays L.) in comparison to inorganic fertiliser. The greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana on a sandy loam soil ( Ferric Lixisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S), dewatered faecal sludge (DFS), municipal solid waste compost (C), co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered faecal sludge (Co), compost enriched with (NH 4) 2SO 4 (EC), co-compost enriched with (NH 4) 2SO 4 (ECO), (NH 4) 2SO 4 and NPK15–15–15 + (NH 4) 2SO 4. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertiliser applied at the rate of 91, 150 and 210 kg N ha −1 respectively. Maize cv. Abelehii was grown in a poly bag filled with 15 kg soil. Eight plants per treatment were selected randomly and used for the collection of data on growth parameters forth-nightly. At physiological maturity two plants per treatment were also selected randomly from each treatment plot for yield data. The results showed that TE of maize ( Z. mays) varied for the different treatments and these are 6.9 Pa in soil (S) alone to 8.6 Pa in ECO. Increase in N application rate increased TE at the vegetative phase for fast nutrient releasing fertilisers (DFS, ECO, EC, NPK + (NH 4) 2SO 4, (NH 4) 2SO 4) and at the reproductive phase for slow nutrient releasing fertilisers (C and CO). Water-use efficiency increased significantly as rate of N application increased. Treatment ECO improved crop WUE cwu and was 11% and 4 times higher than that for NPK + (NH 4) 2SO 4 or soil alone; and 18–36%