Alternate furrow irrigation can maintain grain yield and nutrient content, and increase crop water productivity in dry season maize in sub-tropical climate of South Asia

•Both irrigation level and method had significant effects on yield, nutrient uptake and crop water productivity (CWP).•Alternate (AFI) and traditional furrow irrigation (TFI) had similar grain yield when irrigated to 100% of field capacity.•AFI had highest CWP and saved water by 37 % compared to TFI.•Uptake of both macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients in maize grain at harvest was found similar in both AFI and TFI systems.•AFI can save water and be used for dry season maize in areas with limited water sources.