Optimizing Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency Based on the Relationship between Leaf Area Index and Evapotranspiration

Achieving optimal balance between maize yield and water use efficiency is an important challenge for irrigation production in arid areas. In this study, we conducted experiment Xinjiang China 2016 2017 to quantify the response of plant density schedules. The treatments included four levels: 360 (W1), 480 (W2), 600 (W3), 720 mm (W4), five densities: 7.5 (D1), 9.0 (D2), 10.5 (D3), 12.0 (D4), 13.5 plants m?2 (D5). results showed that increasing level could both significantly increase leaf area index (LAI). However, LAI expansion increased evapotranspiration (ETa) under irrigation. combination (W3) (D4) produced highest (21.0–21.2 t ha?1), ETa (784.1–797.8 mm), (WUE) (2.64–2.70 kg m?3), with 8.5–8.7 at silking stage. relationship grain were quantified, and, based on this, productivity was analyzed. Moreover, established determine reasonable coordinate decrease efficiency.