Maize experimental field at Khon Kaen University (KKU)
In November 2020, an experimental field plot at Khon Kaen University was prepared for growing a Thai maize cultivar to measure its phenology, morphology and physiology together with the aboveground and belowground environmental conditions. The obtained data will provide a reference for the maize plant-based irrigation scheduling experiment that is planned for Nov 2021-March 2022.
Figure 1 Land preparation for the maize experimental field plot at the Department of agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University (KKU). The experimental plot measures 15 m x 7 m. Rough ploughing to turn over the soil, dry the soil and destroy weed roots was followed by ploughing in regular furrows for three times during November in order to improve the soil’s potential to retain moisture.
Figure 2 At the start of 2021, a plot with six rows, including two border rows, was established. The distance between rows was set at 75 cm. A seeding machine was used to mark the inter-plant distance of 25 cm and two seeds per hole were sown manually.
Figure 3 Installation of the drip irrigation system. The plot was covered with black cloth to prevent birds from eating the maize seeds.
Figure 4 The emergence and following developmental stages are checked regularly. At 9 days after sowing (stage V1, one fully developed leaf), the emergence was noted, and 3 days later at the V2-stage (two fully developed leaves), plants were thinned to one per hole.
