Effects of No-tillage and Ploughing on Efficiency of Water Use in Maize and Cowpea

Abstract

SUMMARY: Water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was investigated, with and without tillage, under four irrigation frequencies in which 12 mm of water was applied at 2, 4, 8 and 12 day intervals, using a sprinkler system. Both maize and cowpea under no-tillage yielded more than with conventional ploughing. Water use efficiency of maize without tillage was 18·3, 17·5, 57·8 and 100% greater than with tillage at irrigation frequencies of 2, 4, 8 and 12 days respectively. Whereas the leaf water potential of cowpea was not affected by tillage, that of maize was generally higher for no-tillage compared with conventional ploughing.