Effect of Irrigation Interval on Growth and Forage Yield of Maize (Zea Mays) Variety Using Solar Photovoltaic Irrigation system in Sokoto, Nigeria

Experiment was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodyio University Dryl and Teaching and Research Farm (130 01 N and 50 13 E), during 2022 dry seasons. The objective of the research was to study the effect of irrigation interval on the growth and forage yield of cowpeas varieties using Solar PV Irrigation system. (SAMMAZ 15, SAMMAZ 33 and Ex Dundaye) respectively, with irrigation intervals of 3, 4 and 5 days respectively were used for the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results from the research shows that variety had significant effect on stand establishment count, leaf length, leaf with, number of leave per plant, days to 50% tas selling and forage yield. Also, irrigation interval had significant effect on plant height, number of leaves, leaves length, days to 50% tasseling and forage yield. Interaction effects between variety and irrigation interval was also found to be significant. From this research, it was found that production of SAMMAZ 15 with 3 days irrigation interval is encouraged in Sokoto ecological condition using Solar PV irrigation system.