Effects of water-retaining agent on soil water moverment and water use efficiency of maize sowed with absolved water-storing irrigation

Based on field experiment of maize sowing with absolved water-storing irrigation, the effects of water-retaining agent on soil water momvent, dynamic of soil water, water consumption amount during whole growth period, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied. The results showed that application of water-retaining agent 2.5 g/m2 (YB2.5) could enhance yield and soil water content near the root of crop significantly, and could save water remarkably. Water holding efficiency for the application of water-retaining agent 1.5 g/m2 (YB1.5) and seed dressing with water-retaining agent (YBH) treatment was good within 101 days after sowing, but the effect of water holding gradually decreased after 101 days. There was no apparent difference on soil water content between treatments YB0.5 and YB0, so water holding efficiency would not be improved obviously if little water-retaining agent was applied.