In order to explore the effect of irrigation amount on the growth,yield and water use of potato under mulched drip irrigation,0(CK),100,150,200,250,300,350,400 m3·hm-2 irrigation treatments were carried out at six stages of pre-seedling,seedling,squaring,early flowering,full flowering and falling flowering.The results showed that different irrigation amount could shorten the growth period of potato before budding and prolong the late growth period,and also increase the LAI at flowering stage.The irrigation amount had little effect on the fresh and dry mass of stems and leaves before budding.During budding,early flowering and falling,the fresh mass of stems and leaves increased with the increase of irrigation amount,and the dry mass of stems and leaves decreased at maturity when the irrigation amount increased to 300 m3·hm-2.The yield per hm2 and yield per plant,the number and mass of large and medium-sized potatoes increased and then decreased with the increase of irrigation amount.The peak values appeared at 250 m3·hm-2 and 300 m3·hm-2 irrigation amount,respectively.The maximum values were 78 888.63 kg·hm-2,1 832.57 g·plant-1,4.53 g·plant-1 and 1 720.47 g·plant-1,respectively.The yield increased by 27 712.26 kg·hm-2 compared with CK,with an increase rate of 54.15%.When the irrigation amount increased to 350 m3·hm-2 and more,the plant appeared overgrowth in the middle and late growth period,the stem diameter became thinner,the number of small potatoes increased,and the commodity rate,yield and water use efficiency decreased significantly.Comprehensive analysis showed that 250-300 m3·hm-2 irriga-tion is the most suitable level for potato drip irrigation under film in semi-arid Dingxi city.
PotatoIrrigation amountDrip irrigation under mulchGrowth and developmentYieldWater utilization