Effect of Moisture Movement and Conserving under Straw Mulching in Maize Field
In this experiment, three soil moisture conservation treatments, I. E. Plastic mulching, straw mulching and PAM chemical water-retaining agent, were designed to investigate the dynamic regulation of soil moisture content in maize field and water consumption of maize during the whole growing season under different irrigation treatments. The values of soil moisture content under distinct irrigating water quotas during different growing periods of maize were measured to analyze the temporal dynamic change of soil moisture content in summer maize field. The results show that the soil moisture content under conservation treatments was higher than that without treatment whenever the maize field was irrigated or not. Water-holding capacity of soil was increased with the increase of irrigation volume. It was found that the water consumption was decreased by 27. 92 mm, 24.54 mm and 2.07 mm under plastic mulching, straw mulching and PAM chemical water-retaining agent treatments, and the reductions were 58.4% , 51.33% and 4. 33% , respectively. Moreover, the soil water consumptions were increased by 11. 88 20.90 mm, 12. 93 - 18. 14 mm and 2. 00 -4. 39 mm respectively under plastic mulching, straw mulching and PAM chemical water-retaining agent treatment during the period from tasseling stage to milking stage. Water consumption during the period from milking stage to mature stage was similar to that during the period from tasseling stage and milking stage, and the change of soil water consumption was not significant due to rainfall. In conclusion, water consumption under different treatments during the whole growth season of maize was in an order of CK > PAM chemical water-retaining agent treatment > straw mulching > plastic mulching.
moisture conserving irrigationmaizesoil moisture contentmigration and transformationwater consumptionYanglingShaanxi Province