Soil water repellency decreases summer maize growth

摘要: Abstract A two-year summer maize irrigation experiment was conducted in soil lysimeters under a rain-shelter to analyze the effects of water repellency on moisture, evapotranspiration, crop growth, and yields. Soil droplet penetration time (WDPT) initially 1, 7, 9, 12 16 s, showing wettable or slight repellency, denoted as treatments CK, WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4, respectively. storage dynamics were observed using lysimeters. The WDPT volumetric content (θv) surface measured daily. results revealed that values all five increased significantly sowing days reached peaks before subsequent irrigation. However, peak decreased events increased. maximum WR4 31, 2000, 2200, 2300 2355s during entire growth period, indicated more persistent than initial conditions. During two irrigations, θv with increase WDPT. daily cumulative evapotranspiration at early stage differed slightly but from CK later stages. Likewise, higher consumption resulted lower good plant thus soils WDPTs, LAI, mass roots leaves, root lengths noted. regularly main reason due decrease availability for impeded uptake variation WDPTs had significant impact WUE. In conclusion, repellent result growth.