Evaluation of saline water irrigation and mulching on yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) under drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil during rabi 2024-25 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla to study the response of maize to saline water irrigation and mulching. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four salinity levels (0.4, 2, 4, and 6 dS m⁻¹) as main plots treatments and three mulch treatments (no mulch, straw mulch, and plastic mulch) as sub-plots. The results indicated that irrigation with best available water (0.4dS m⁻¹) significantly enhanced kernel and stover yield and nutrient uptake (N, P, K) in both grain and stover respectively, which were at par with the main plot treatments 2 and 4 dS m⁻¹, while 6 dS m⁻¹ registered significantly the lowest values. Among mulches, plastic mulch recorded significantly the highest yield and nutrient uptake, followed by straw mulch, and no mulch recorded the least. The interaction between salinity and mulch was found significant, with the combination of BAW and plastic mulch producing significantly the highest kernel yield (8.46 t ha⁻¹), stover yield (10.64 t ha⁻¹), and nutrient uptake. The findings suggest that saline water irrigation up to 4 dS m⁻¹ can be used effectively for maize under drip irrigation if supplemented with mulching, particularly plastic mulch.