Abstract
High yield is one of the important goals of crop production, and close planting and optimum irrigation systems are important agronomic practices for increasing maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. However, little is known about the effect of optimal irrigation interval on the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and dry matter accumulation (DM) of closely planted super-high-yield maize under drip irrigation under mulch. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of irrigation interval on the leaf Pn, DM, and grain yield of closely planted super-high-yield maize under mulch drip irrigation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwestern China. A field experiment was conducted using three irrigation intervals in 2016—namely, six days (D6), nine days (D9), and 12 days (D12)—and five irrigation intervals in 2017—namely, three days (D3), six days (D6), nine days (D9), 12 days (D12), and 15 days (D15). The Xianyu 335 high-yield maize hybrid was used in the test; the planting density was set to 12×104 plants ha−1, and an optimal irrigation quota of 540 mm was used. The results showed that during the irrigation period, (1) the soil moisture content (SMC), DM, leaf Pn, and grain yield of treatment D6 were higher than for other irrigation intervals, (2) the leaf Pn and stomatal conductance (GS) of the leaves of treatments D3, D9, D12, and D15 were significantly correlated with the SMC of the 0–40 cm soil layer, and (3) the leaf Pn of treatment D6 was significantly positively correlated with SMC in the 0–60 cm soil layer but not significantly correlated with GS. Irrigation treatment D6 was found to maintain high SMC, provide a water environment favorable to the growth of maize, and increase the leaf Pn and DM, and thereby obtain maize grain yield (20.6–21.0 t ha−1). Therefore, an optimal irrigation interval could be beneficial for adjusting soil moisture, leaf Pn, and DM in order to increase maize grain yield with drip irrigation under mulch.
Highlights
With a rapidly growing world population, food and water resources face great challenges.Water security is the basis of food security [1], and the shortage of water resources is the main problem limiting agricultural production in arid areas [2]
We analyzed the dynamic changes of storage under different irrigation intervals [28], and the results showed that the soil water storage of soil water storage under different irrigation intervals [28], and the results showed that the soil water the 0–60 cm soil layer differed greatly between irrigation intervals
The results of the present study suggest that different irrigation levels lead to different soil moisture content and water stress, and the soil moisture regime affects crop photosynthesis
Summary
With a rapidly growing world population, food and water resources face great challenges. Water security is the basis of food security [1], and the shortage of water resources is the main problem limiting agricultural production in arid areas [2]. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1778 agriculture to improve the efficient use of water resources is an effective way to achieve the sustainable development of agriculture in arid areas. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop around the world and plays an important role in ensuring food security [3]. Many studies have shown that increasing planting density is an effective way to increase maize yield [4,5,6,7]. Improving crop yield per unit land area is a key measure for increasing food security
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