Nutrients uptake and water use efficiency of drip irrigated maize under deficit irrigation

Little is known about nutrient uptake during different growth stages of drip irrigated maize under deficit irrigation. A 2-year field study in the semi-arid region of Upper Egypt was carried out in a randomized complete block design with five replications during the summer of 2016 and 2017. Maize plants were irrigated with 100, 80, or 60% of water requirements. Maize growth was negatively affected by the lower water supply. Total uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) by maize irrigated with I₁₀₀ increased by 21, 25, and 21% compared to that irrigated with I₆₀. I₈₀ reduced the grain and straw yield by 8 and 17% compared to I₁₀₀. Under deficit irrigation water was used efficiently more than full water supply. NPK requirements of drip irrigated maize under deficit irrigation are less than those irrigated by full water supply thus help to sustain the environmental ecosystem and increased the economic returns.