RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Data in Table I showed that neither the irrigation
levels nor the genotypes had any effect on the number of
plants m-2. Significant differences were observed among the
varieties for leaf area index (Table I). The variety Golden
produced maximum leaf area index (0.61). The lowest leaf
area index (0.59) was given by Platinum. These results are
in agreement with those of Monteih (1965). Different
irrigation levels were found to be non-significant with
regard to leaf area index (Table I). The interaction between
varieties and irrigation levels was significant.
All the varieties showed significant differences for
plant height (Table I). The Platinum gave the maximum
plant height (181.35cm), but it was statistically at par with
Agaiti-2000 (177.9). These results can be attributed to
differences in genetic constitution of the genotypes. Dhillon
et al. (1998) had also reported similar results. Various
irrigation levels did not affect the plant height (Table I)
significantly. These results are not in line with those of
Vicente et al. (1999) who reported significant effect of
water stress conditions on plant height. The interaction
between varieties and irrigation levels was found to be nonsignificant.
Different maize genotypes did not vary significantly as
regards the number of cobs plant-1 (Table I). Significant
differences were observed among the irrigation levels for
number of cobs plant-1 (Table I). The application of 6
irrigations produced the maximum number of cobs plant-1
(1.23) while the minimum number of cobs plant-1 (0.77)
were given by supplying maize genotypes with 4 irrigations.
Vicente et al. (1999) had also reported reduction in number
of cobs plant-1 under severe water stress. The interaction
between genotypes and irrigation levels was significant.
Various maize genotypes did not produce a significant
effect on number of grains cob-1 (Table I). All the irrigation
levels produced statistically different number of grains
cob-1. Application of 6 irrigations produced significantly the
maximum number of grains cob-1 (483.74) whereas the
lowest number of grains cob-1 (367.27) were recorded in
case of 4 irrigations. The interaction between genotypes and
irrigation levels was found to be non-significant.