Pedosphere 6(3): 243--249, 1996
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©1996 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Corn growth as affected by plastic cover under drip irrigation condition in the desert |
| WANG Xue-Feng1, XU Fu-An1 and U. SHANI2 |
1 Institute of Soil Science. Academia Sinica. P.O.Box 821. Nanjing 210008 (China)
2 Arava Research Station. Eilot 88820 (Israel) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Plastic cover, as a method to minimize soil water evaporation and improve water use efficiency, was used for corn during the whole growing period in a desert area. Field studies were conducted to determine the effect of plastic covering management on corn growth and rooting pattern and its relationship with changes in climate. Four treatments, 0) bared soil without cover, 1) covering one side of the crop, 2) covering both sides of the crop, and 3) covering the surface totally, were established on a sandy loam soil. Results showed that treatment 0 was significantly different from others and revealed that plastic covering was not always good to corn growth. Improper usage of plastic cover might weaken root development and thereafter lower the total yield of the crop. Suitable practices combining different methods discussed could not only improve water use efficiency but also increase the crop yield. |
| Key Words: corn growth. drip irrigation, plastic cover, water use efficiency |
| Citation: Wang, X. F., Xu, F. A. and Shani, U. 1996. Corn growth as affected by plastic cover under drip irrigation condition in the desert. Pedosphere. 6(3): 243-249. |
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