Reducing water and nitrogen inputs combined with plastic mulched ridge-furrow irrigation improves soil water and salt status in arid saline areas, China

Plastic mulched ridge-furrow irrigation is a useful method to improve crop productivity and decrease salt accumulation in arid saline areas. However, inappropriate fertilizer practices may result ecological environmental problems. In order the resource use efficiency these areas, we investigated effects of different amounts (400 (I1), 300 (I2) 200 (I3) mm) nitrogen application rates (300 (F1) 150 (F2) kg N/hm2) on water consumption, variation spring maize (Zea mays L.) Hetao Irrigation District (HID) Northwest China 2017 2018. Result showed that soil contents were 0.2%–8.9% 13.9%–18.1% lower for I2 I3 than I1, respectively, but was slightly higher F2 F1. Soil 7.8%–23.5% 48.5%–18.9% I1 I3, 1.6%–5.5% F1 F2. Less leaching at early growth stage (from sowing six-leaf stage) peak tasseling from grain-filling maturity resulted content I2. Grain yields significantly 14.7%–34.0% I1. Compared with F1, increased partial factor (PFP) by more 80%. PFP not between I1F2 I2F2, those other treatments. Considering goal saving resources, ensuring food security, recommended combination I2F2 ensure sustainable development agriculture HID similar