Using irrigation intervals to optimize water-use efficiency and maize yield in Xinjiang, northwest China

Achieving optimal balance between maize yield and water use efficiency is an important challenge for irrigation maize production in arid areas. In this study, we conducted an experiment in Xinjiang China in 2016 and 2017 to quantify the response of maize yield and water use to plant density and irrigation schedules. The treatments included four irrigation levels: 360 (W1), 480 (W2), 600 (W3), and 720 mm (W4), and five plant densities: 7.5 (D1), 9.0 (D2), 10.5 (D3), 12.0 (D4), and 13.5 plants m−2 (D5). The results showed that increasing the plant density and the irrigation level could both significantly increase the leaf area index (LAI). However, LAI expansion significantly increased evapotranspiration (ETa) under irrigation. The combination of irrigation level 600 mm (W3) and plant density 12.0 plants m−2 (D4) produced the highest maize yield (21.0–21.2 t ha−1), ETa (784.1–797.8 mm), and water use efficiency (WUE) (2.64–2.70 kg m−3), with an LAI of 8.5–8.7 at the silking stage. The relationship between LAI and grain yield and evapotranspiration were quantified, and, based on this, the relationship between water use and maize productivity was analyzed. Moreover, the optimal LAI was established to determine the reasonable irrigation level and coordinate the relationship between the increase in grain yield and the decrease in water use efficiency.

Download Full-text

Spatial–Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Water Use Efficiency in Northwest China—Based on a Super-DEA Model and a Spatial Panel Econometric Model

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050632 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 632

Author(s):

Weinan Lu ◽

Wenxin Liu ◽

Mengyang Hou ◽

Yuanjie Deng ◽

Yue Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Water Resource ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Econometric Model ◽

Northwest China ◽

Agricultural Water ◽

Agricultural Water Use ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Semi Arid

Improving agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is an important way to solve the shortage of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. This study used the Super-DEA (data envelopment analysis) to measure the AWUE of 52 cities in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018. Based on spatial and temporal perspectives, it applied Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) to explore the dynamic evolution and regional differences of AWUE. A spatial econometric model was then used to analyze the main factors that influence the AWUE in Northwest China. The results showed firstly that the overall AWUE in Northwest China from 2000 to 2018 presented a steady upward trend. However, only a few cities achieved effective agricultural water usage by 2018, and the differences among cities were obvious. Secondly, AWUE showed an obvious spatial autocorrelation in Northwest China and showed significant high–high and low–low agglomeration characteristics. Thirdly, economic growth, urbanization development, and effective irrigation have significant, positive effects on AWUE, while per capita water resource has a significant, negative influence. Finally, when improving the AWUE in arid and semi-arid regions, plans should be formulated according to local conditions. The results of this study can provide new ideas on the study of AWUE in arid and semi-arid regions and provide references for the formulation of regional agricultural water resource utilization policies as well.

Download Full-text

Exploring Northwest China's agricultural water-saving strategy: analysis of water use efficiency based on an SE-DEA model conducted in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2016.286 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 1106-1115 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L. Mu ◽

L. Fang ◽

H. Wang ◽

L. Chen ◽

Y. Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Water Demand ◽

Water Governance ◽

Northwest China ◽

Water Saving ◽

Shaanxi Province ◽

Agricultural Water ◽

Use Efficiency

Worldwide, water scarcity threatens delivery of water to urban centers. Increasing water use efficiency (WUE) is often recommended to reduce water demand, especially in water-scarce areas. In this paper, agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is examined using the super-efficient data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach in Xi'an in Northwest China at a temporal and spatial level. The grey systems analysis technique was then adopted to identify the factors that influenced the efficiency differentials under the shortage of water resources. From the perspective of temporal scales, the AWUE increased year by year during 2004–2012, and the highest (2.05) was obtained in 2009. Additionally, the AWUE was the best in the urban area at the spatial scale. Moreover, the key influencing factors of the AWUE are the financial situations and agricultural water-saving technology. Finally, we identified several knowledge gaps and proposed water-saving strategies for increasing AWUE and reducing its water demand by: (1) improving irrigation practices (timing and amounts) based on compatible water-saving techniques; (2) maximizing regional WUE by managing water resources and allocation at regional scales as well as enhancing coordination among Chinese water governance institutes.

Download Full-text

Improved water use efficiency and fruit quality of greenhouse crops under regulated deficit irrigation in northwest China

Agricultural Water Management ◽

10.1016/j.agwat.2016.05.029 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 179 ◽

pp. 193-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Hui Yang ◽

Taisheng Du ◽

Rangjian Qiu ◽

Jinliang Chen ◽

Feng Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Northwest China ◽

Regulated Deficit Irrigation ◽

Greenhouse Crops ◽

Use Efficiency

Download Full-text

How global warming alters future maize yield and water use efficiency in China

Technological Forecasting and Social Change ◽

10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120229 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 160 ◽

pp. 120229

Author(s):

Yujie Liu ◽

Jie Zhang ◽

Ya Qin

Keyword(s):

Global Warming ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Use Efficiency

Download Full-text

Effects of zinc fertilizer on maize yield and water-use efficiency under different soil water conditions

Field Crops Research ◽

10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107718 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 248 ◽

pp. 107718 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li Zhang ◽

Minfei Yan ◽

Hongbing Li ◽

Yuanyuan Ren ◽

Kadambot HM Siddique ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Soil Water ◽

Water Use ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Water Conditions ◽

Zinc Fertilizer ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Soil Water Conditions

Download Full-text

Deficit irrigation improves maize yield and water use efficiency in a semi-arid environment

Agricultural Water Management ◽

10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106483 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 243 ◽

pp. 106483 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yufeng Zou ◽

Qaisar Saddique ◽

Ajaz Ali ◽

Jiatun Xu ◽

Muhammad Imran Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Arid Environment ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Semi Arid

Download Full-text

Maize yield as affected by irrigation and evapotranspiration control treatments

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600035528 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 731-734

Author(s):

R. De ◽

Y. Y. Rao ◽

M. Ikramullah ◽

L. G. Giri Rao

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Grain Weight ◽

Irrigation Water Use Efficiency ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Irrigation Water Use ◽

Use Efficiency

SUMMARYMaize yield was increased by the application of organic mulch (6 t/ha). Mulched plots treated with any of the antitranspirants (kaolin or alachlor) and receiving two or four irrigations yielded as much as untreated plots receiving four or six irrigations. Cob length, number of grains and grain weight of maize were increased by mulching and by the transpiration suppressants. Irrigation water-use efficiency was improved by evapotranspiration control treatments.

Download Full-text