Effects of alternate partial root-zone irrigation on water and nitrogen utilization of pot-grown sweet corn

Alternate partial root-zone irrigation(APRI) is a newly high-efficient water saving technique. Effects of APRI on dry mass accumulation, water use and nitrogen(N) use of pot-grown sweet corn under different fertilizationand irrigation levels were studied. Results show that under fertilization and sufficient irrigation, compared with the conventional irrigation(CI), irrigation water in APRI treatment is saved by 29.1%, and total dry mass and shoot dry mass are only reduced by 6.3% and 5.6% respectively, but water use efficiency(WUE) andnitrogen apparent recovery are enhanced by 24.3% and 16.4%, respectively, whichindicate that the efficient effect of alternate partial root-zone irrigationon water saving and fertilizer saving should combine with rational fertilization and suitable water supply. But in the partial root drying(PRD) treatment, both water use efficiency and nitrogen apparent recovery are not enhanced because of greatly reduced total dry mass.