Huo et al. (2026) Moderate winter irrigation reduction improves maize water productivity under green manure incorporation by optimizing root distribution and water consumption

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-23
• Authors: Jianzhe Huo, Pengfei Wang, Aizhong Yu, Xiao Pang, Keqiang Jiang, Yulong Wang, Bo Yin, Yongpan Shang, Hongwei Cai, Zhenkang Feng, Feng Wang
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110568

Research Groups

• College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University
• State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University
• Seed Industry Research Institute of Gansu Provincial University

Short Summary

This study investigates the effects of reduced winter irrigation on maize yield and water productivity under green manure incorporation. The results show that moderate reduction in winter irrigation (40% reduction) improves maize water productivity without reducing grain yield.

Objective

• To quantify the effects of six winter irrigation levels on maize yield, water productivity, evapotranspiration partitioning, and soil water dynamics under green manure incorporation.
• To determine how root distribution, root activity, canopy development, and dry matter accumulation are associated with yield stability and water productivity responses to reduced winter irrigation.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field experiment conducted at the Oasis Agricultural Experimental Station in northwestern China.
• Temporal Scale: Two-year study (2024-2025) with six winter irrigation levels applied under green manure incorporation.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Water balance equation, micro-lysimeters for soil evaporation measurement.
• Data sources: Field measurements of soil water content, evapotranspiration, transpiration, root traits, and crop yield.

Main Results

• Moderate reduction in winter irrigation (40% reduction) improved maize water productivity without reducing grain yield.
• Root distribution and activity were optimized under moderate reduction in winter irrigation, leading to increased dry matter accumulation and yield stability.
• Evapotranspiration partitioning was affected by reduced winter irrigation, with a higher transpiration-to-evapotranspiration ratio observed under moderate reduction.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the effects of reduced winter irrigation on maize water productivity under green manure incorporation.
• The findings highlight the importance of optimizing root distribution and activity for improving crop yield and water use efficiency in arid regions.

Funding

• This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51809223) and the Gansu Provincial Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 20ZD2A012).

Citation

@article{Huo2026Moderate,
  author = {Huo, Jianzhe and Wang, Pengfei and Yu, Aizhong and Pang, Xiao and Jiang, Keqiang and Wang, Yulong and Yin, Bo and Shang, Yongpan and Cai, Hongwei and Feng, Zhenkang and Yu, Yanzi and Wang, Feng},
  title = {Moderate winter irrigation reduction improves maize water productivity under green manure incorporation by optimizing root distribution and water consumption},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110568},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110568}
}