Drip Fertigation with Relatively Low Water and N Input Achieved Higher Grain Yield of Maize by Improving Pre- and Post-Silking Dry Matter Accumulation

Appropriate irrigation and nitrogen (N) management strategies are necessary to achieve a sustainable yield of maize with relatively low water N inputs. Here, 2-year field experiment two methods (drip flood irrigation) five application rates (0, 225, 300, 375, 450 kg ha−1) was conducted evaluate use efficiency in the North China Plain (NCP). Compared fertigation (FF), drip (DF) improved soil content (SWC) 0 40 cm layer maintained greater mineral (Nmin) that layer. This resulted increased Nmin for 375 ha−1 (N3) under DF compared (N4) treatment FF during both pre- post-silking maize. The crop accumulated at using N3 N4 FF. Greater pre-silking accumulation leaf area plant growth rate, leading more dry matter (DM) develop kernels, while sufficient high produce DM promote ability support grain filling. As result, maximum (10.4 Mg achieved due kernel number weight (375 20% reduction fertilizer input (450 Due uptake less consumption, agronomic (AEN), partial factor productivity (PFPN), (WUE) net income by 30.4%, 28.6%, 58.3% 11.0% averaged over years, respectively, Therefore, fertilization could improve lower consumption rate higher fertilization, as well increase economic benefits.