Adaptive sowing window strategy for improving grain filling and water loss characteristics of film-mulched maize in Northwest China

IF 5.6 1区 农林科学 Q1 AGRONOMY
Xudong Zhang , Haixiang Xiong , Rui Wang , Junjie Li , Zhaoyun Dong , Zhikuan Jia , Qingfang Han
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Context

High yield and mechanization are essential goals in modern crop production. However, sowing strategies that maximize yield and mechanical harvesting efficiency in film-mulched maize remain understudied.

Objective

This study aimed to optimize the sowing window to create better water and temperature conditions, improve grain filling and water loss characteristics, and ultimately achieve mechanically harvestable high yields in film-mulched maize.

Methods

A two-factor field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2021–2022) in Northwest China, incorporating two planting methods (film-mulch vs. no-mulch) and four sowing dates (April 10 to May 16).

Results

Film-mulch planting increased soil temperature, accelerating maize phenological development and shortening the growth period compared with no-mulch planting. Notably, it increased the growing degree days (GDD) by 32.4–173.5 °C d but reduced plant available water (PAW) by 25.2–39.9 % during grain filling period. These changes increased grain filling rate (GFR) by 27.7–45.5 % and water loss rate (GWLR) by 2.2–15.1 %, ultimately promoting grain yield by 153.9–199.6 % and advancing mechanical harvesting date by 24–33 days. Early sowing maximized yield and harvest efficiency in water-sufficient year, while delaying sowing window to April 22–May 6 for film-mulched maize (compared with April 18–28 for no-mulch) can mitigate drought stress risks from accelerated development, thereby ensuring both yield stability and mechanical grain harvesting.

Conclusions

A one-week sowing delay is recommended for film-mulched maize compared with no-mulched pattern. This adaptive sowing window strategy can balance yield improvement and mechanical harvesting compatibility in semi-arid regions with limited and variable precipitation.
改善西北地膜玉米灌浆和水分流失特性的适应性播窗策略
高产和机械化是现代作物生产的基本目标。然而,在覆膜玉米中,最大限度地提高产量和机械收获效率的播种策略仍有待进一步研究。目的优化膜下玉米的播期,创造良好的水分和温度条件,改善籽粒灌浆和水分流失特性,最终实现膜下玉米的机械可收获高产。方法在西北地区连续2年(2021-2022年)进行双因素田间试验,采用覆膜与不覆膜两种种植方式,4个播期(4月10日~ 5月16日)。结果与不覆盖相比,覆盖提高了土壤温度,加快了玉米物候发育,缩短了玉米生育期。灌浆期植株有效水分(PAW)减少25.2 ~ 39.9 %,生育期GDD增加32.4 ~ 173.5 °C d;这些变化使籽粒灌浆率(GFR)提高27.7 ~ 45.5% %,失水率(GWLR)提高2.2 ~ 15.1 %,最终使籽粒产量提高153.9 ~ 199.6 %,机械收获期提前24 ~ 33 d。在丰水年,早播产量和收获效率最高,而覆膜玉米的播种窗口推迟至4月22日至5月6日(未覆膜玉米的播种窗口为4月18日至28日),可以减轻加速生长带来的干旱胁迫风险,从而确保产量稳定和机械收获。结论与不覆盖模式相比,覆膜玉米可延迟1周播种。在降水有限和变化的半干旱区,自适应播窗策略可以平衡产量提高和机械收获相容性。
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来源期刊
Field Crops Research
Field Crops Research 农林科学-农艺学
CiteScore
9.60
自引率
12.10%
发文量
307
审稿时长
46 days
期刊介绍: Field Crops Research is an international journal publishing scientific articles on: √ experimental and modelling research at field, farm and landscape levels on temperate and tropical crops and cropping systems, with a focus on crop ecology and physiology, agronomy, and plant genetics and breeding.
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