Abstract
Against the backdrop of increasingly scarce water resources in northern China, exploring efficient water-saving irrigation models for summer maize holds significant practical value. Under the condition of equal total irrigation volume, this study systematically compared the effects and underlying mechanisms of four irrigation methods—furrow irrigation (FI), drip irrigation (DI), subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), and micro-irrigation (MI)—on soil water distribution, plant growth and development, water use efficiency, and yield formation in summer maize. The results showed that SDI and MI significantly optimized the vertical distribution of soil moisture within the root zone, reduced surface soil moisture fluctuations, and enhanced moisture retention in deeper layers, thereby promoting deeper root growth and prolonging leaf functional duration. These changes led to improved photosynthetic capacity and dry matter accumulation, ultimately contributing to yield enhancement. Compared with FI, both SDI and MI markedly improved yield performance and water use efficiency, highlighting their strong potential for water conservation. This study innovatively revealed the synergistic physiological mechanisms through which advanced irrigation technologies enhance water use efficiency and delay leaf senescence, while elucidating their advantages in yield formation and water-saving effectiveness. The findings provide scientific evidence and management strategies to support green and efficient summer maize production in arid regions.
