Influence of Deficit Irrigation on Soil Water Distribution and Water Use Efficiency of Waxy Maize Under Rain-Shelter Cultivation

In order to study the deficit irrigation effect on waxy maize under rain-shelter cultivation, field experiments were conducted in southern China.

The effects of deficit irrigation on soil moisture distribution and water use efficiency of waxy maize were studied by measuring soil moisture content, plant height, leaf area index, yield, and yield composition.

The results showed that under different irrigation quotas, the soil water content of deficit irrigation was lower than that of sufficient irrigation. Deficit irrigation can improve the utilization efficiency of soil water. The soil water content was mainly distributed in the water absorbing layer of crop roots (20–60 cm). 2/3 ET_c deficit irrigation had little influence on the plant height, leaf-area-index, yield, and yield components of waxy maize. Compared with sufficient irrigation, the overall growth index of waxy maize decreased by less than 10%, the water consumption of waxy maize decreased by more than 20%, and the water utilization efficiency and irrigation water utilization efficiency of waxy maize increased 25–40%. Compared with sufficient irrigation, the water consumption of glutinous corn has decreased by more than 20%, and the water use efficiency and irrigation water efficiency have increased by 25–40%.

Waxy maize was irrigated for five times throughout its entire growth period, and total irrigation quota was 370 mm (2/3 ET_c) during the whole growth period, which was a better deficit irrigation schedule for waxy maize under rain-shelter cultivation. Irrigation wax corn five times, with a total irrigation quota of 370 mm (2/3 ET_c), is a better deficit irrigation system for wax corn under shaded cultivation conditions.