Abstract

To investigate the factors (e.g., water, temperature, fertilizer) that limit maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield production in Northeast China (NEC), 3 years of field experiments involving different water, fertilizer, and film mulching (to represent temperature variation) treatments were conducted in 2017-2019. The results were analyzed together with historical meteorological data for the region from 1951 to 2019. Five water treatments were applied in 2017 and 2018, while three field management practices (plastic film mulching, biodegradable film mulching, and no mulching) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0-200 kg ha(-1)) were applied in 2019. Among them, temperature proved to be an important limiting factor in crop production in the region because of crop failure caused by low temperatures and frost in autumn. Water and fertilization also influenced crop growth and production to a certain extent. Both plastic film mulching and biodegradable film mulching improved soil temperature and soil water storage (SWS), particularly during the early growth period. Cumulative soil thermal time (TTsoil) to 100 cm depth increased in the mulching compared with the no mulching treatment. Compared with no mulching, the film mulching also advanced the emergence (VE), sixth-leaf (V6), silking (R1), and milk (R3) stages, by 7, 7, 9, and 9 days, respectively. The improved soil temperature and water conditions and the advanced growth stage under film mulching treatments increased the rate of crop growth and biomass accumulation significantly, with which LAI, biomass, and plant height developed more rapidly than in the no mulching treatment. Film mulching also increased the final grain yield by 21.4-27.6% compared with no mulching. Therefore, film mulching, combined with supplemental irrigation and appropriate fertilization, could be an effective strategy to optimize crop management in Northeast China.

Published in

Irrigation Science
2023, Volume: 41, number: 3, pages: 321-335
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Yang, Weicai

  • China Agricultural University
  • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

• Parsons, David

  • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-022-00813-y

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/118792