Regulated Deficit Drip Irrigation Influences on Seed Maize Growth and Yield under Film

Abstract

An experiment about influence on seed maize growth index and yield with deficit drip irrigation under film was conducted at Irrigation Station in Zhangye, Gansu Province, China. There were severe deficit, mild deficit and full irrigation treatment in each seed maize stage. The lower limit of soil relative water content (the percentage of field capacity) was 45%, 60% and 75%. Results show that single-stage, continuous and alternating deficit irrigation will affect the seed maize normal development, especially the continuous deficit irrigation is obvious, which makes the process of seed maize leaf lag behind and makes dry matter accumulation reduce. And it is the most unfavorable to deficit irrigation in jointing-heading of seed maize, resulting in small plant, decreasing leaf area index. However, a certain degree of deficit irrigation in seedling or grouting could achieve water saving and significantly improve water use efficiency.