Effects of liquid film mulching on dry matter accumulation and water use efficiency of maize with sprinkler irrigation

In order to explore regulation effects of sprinkler irrigation and liquid film mulching of maize production, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three low limits of soil moisture on maize growth process by liquid film mulching with sprinkler irrigation. The influence of liquid film mulching on yield and water use efficiency (WUE) was studied contrast to the control treatment (CK). The results showed that the biomass accumulation with high, medium and low soil moisture treatments (with irrigation quota 51.8, 35.0, 31.4 mm separately) amounted to 16 699.99, 14 216.38 and 13 239.14 kg/hm2 separately, the high-water treatment was beneficial to dry matter accumulation of maize, and the growth curve of dry matter showed “slow-fast-slow” trend. Under liquid film mulching, 100-seed weight could be improved significantly. Maize yield of high, medium and low soil moisture treatments with liquid film mulching increased by 3.48%, 1.48% and 3.79% separately, and WUE of high, medium and low soil moisture treatments with liquid film mulching increased by 6.59%, 7.30% and 9.17% respectively compared with the control. The study indicates that liquid film mulching is an effective measure of water saving and yield increasing with sprinkler irrigation.