Productivity and soil water use by rainfed maize genotypes in a coastal savannah environment

Abstract

Total aboveground biomass, grain yield and actual evapotranspiration data were used to estimate water use efficiency by the maize genotypes in terms of total dry matter and grain yield production. Grain yield and its associated water use efficiency were significantly different (P≤0.05) among the maize genotypes during the major cropping season, with Mamaba producing the highest grain yield of 7 250 kg ha-1 and water use efficiency of 13.2 kg ha-1 mm-1. For the minor season, however, no significant difference was observed in grain yield which ranged between 5 800 and 7 200 kg ha-1, with Obatanpa producing the highest grain yield. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in water use efficiency during the minor cropping season which ranged between 14.6 kg ha-1 mm-1 and 19.1 kg ha-1 mm-1, with Obatanpa having the highest water use efficiency. Maize genotypes Mamaba and Obatanpa were identified suitable for the rainfed conditions at the study area because of their comparatively high grain yield and better use of soil moisture for grain yield production.