Effects of Varying Levels of Irrigation on the Performance and Yield of Maize (zea Mays L) in Selected Plots in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State Nigeria

The paper examines the effects of varying levels of irrigation on the performance and yield of maize on a loamy sand soil of the Makurdi metropolis. The values of water parameters analyzed were within allowable limits for water used for irrigation. Computed irrigation stress levels (treatments) applied at 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% were at 5days, 7days, 10days and 14days intervals respectively. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was adopted in the blocks which were 1m apart with the maize seeds planted at 60cm spacing. The results of the biophysical performance of the maize showed better performance in blocks kept at low stress levels, while those kept at high stress levels showed poor performance. The same trend of result was obtained in the mean yield of maize. The highest yield was 3394.44kg/ha in blocks with low stress levels and the lowest yield was 116.67kg/ha in blocks with high stress levels. The correlation, of the biophysical parameters with time using SPSS Software gave positive and linear result, while that between maize yield and irrigation stress levels gave negative correlation. ANOVA results showed that stress had significant (p