Effect of Drip Irrigation on Soil Water Balance and Water Use Efficiency of Maize in Northwest China

Drip irrigation (DI) has been widely utilized for crops and its water-saving effect confirmed by numerous studies. However, whether this technology can save so much water under the field scale during practical application is still uncertain. In order to answer question, evapotranspiration (ET), soil content, transpiration evaporation over DI border (BI) in an arid area of NW China were continuously measured two eddy covariance systems, micro-lysimeters, packaged stem sap flow gauges CS616 sensors 2014–2018 growing seasons. The results showed that averagely increased crop use efficiency (CWUE) 11% per year against BI. deep drainage treatment was lower than BI 8% five-year period. While ET, decreased ET 7% 40mm traditional decrease mainly due significant reduction instead transpiration. Oppositely, we found may increase maize (Zea mays L.) some better preponderant growth crop. Thus, accelerating on reducing should be considered simultaneously. our experiment, only improved CWUE WUE (water efficiency) 15% average a large farmland scale, unable always more 20% improvement, as concluded many other experiments. Consequently, not overestimated resource evaluation.