Effect of liquid film mulching on growth and yield of summer maize under different soil moisture conditions

Aiming at decreasing agricultural pollution caused by plastic mulching, impacts of liquid film mulching (LF) on crop growth and grain yield of summer maize were studied, which results were compared to the control treatment (CK). Results indicated that plant height and stem diameter of LF were greater than that of CK, and the difference was the most significant under lower soil moisture condition. Under lower soil moisture condition, leaf area index (LAI) of LF was greater than that of CK in the earlier growing stage, while smaller in the later growing stage. Under medium and higher soil moisture conditions, however, LAI of LF was higher than that of CK in the whole growing period. LF increased the photosynthetic and transpiration rate significantly. Under lower soil moisture condition, the grain yield of LF increased by 56.97%, and the ratio of output to input was 1.695. Under higher soil moisture condition, the grain yield of LF only increased by 15.57%, and the ratio of output to input of LF was smaller than that of CK. The study indicates that liquid film mulching is effective for drought-resistance, saving irrigation water amount and improving yield.