Abstract

The scarce water resources availability is a major constraint in the sustainable production of agriculture sector in arid regions of the world. Moreover, the conventional surface irrigation system has led to overexploitation of groundwater and low water use efficiency. Therefore, the exploration of water-saving and climate smart irrigation techniques is needed to overcome the constraint of limited water availability that adversely affects water use efficiency, and agricultural productivity in the arid regions of the world. A field study for two consecutive years (2020, 2021) was carried out during summer seasons at MNS University of Agriculture Multan to compare the effects of three irrigation systems (drip, floppy and furrow) on the water use efficiency, and maize productivity, and to sort out as climate smart and more efficient irrigation systems to improve the water use efficiency, and maize productivity. The results of the field experiment clearly indicated that the drip irrigation system could enhance water use efficiency (100–128%), total dry matter (5.91–6.22%), and grain yield (19.0–25.6%) of maize crop which was followed by floppy irrigation system that could enhance water use efficiency (108.3–108.5%), total dry matter (2.76–2.80%) and grain yield (12.6–16.4%) of maize crop as compared to furrow irrigation system. Economic analysis suggested that higher net economic benefits (29.0–45.6%) could be achieved by using drip irrigation system in comparison to furrow irrigation system. The findings of the present study recommended that drip irrigation system is a climate smart and economically viable for efficient utilization of water and enhance grain yield of maize, and net profitability under current changing climate scenarios.