Abstract:

In order to provide theoretical basis for set up efficient water conservation technology under close-planting of maize/pea intercropping system for the problem was close-planting potential weak research under the intercropping cultivation conditions, water resources deficit, the lack of improved yield and water use efficiency (WUE) together in production, a field experiment was conducted to investigate yield and WUE of 4 planting density of maize (52 500, 60 000, 67 500 and 75 000 plant·hm^-2) in the Desert Oasis region of Hexi Gansu, China. The results showed that the land equivalent ratios (LER) of different treatments reached 1.16 equally, and LER was raised with the increase of different maize density. In addition, the yield of maize in maize/pea intercropping attained 74.87% compared with mono-cropping maize in relative area, and the maximum of crop yield all appeared in the high density (67 500 and 75 000 plant·hm^-2) treatments. Besides, soil moisture of 0~120 cm profile of intercropping pattern was lower than mono-cropping maize 1.60% and higher than mono-cropping pea 6.70%. In two years, the largest soil moisture 0~120 cm profile of mono-cropping maize and intercropping pattern all assumed in the high density (75 000 plant·hm^-2) treatment. Influenced by soil water stored capacity, rainfall capacity, irrigation, the ET of intercropping pattern was enhanced, and it was superior to mono-cropping 19.23%~23.66%. Furthermore, compared to the WUE of mono-cropping maize and pea, the WUE of intercropping pattern was increased by 11.08%, 13.32%, 18.86%, 28.06%, the density 3 (75 000 plant·hm^-2) putted up preponderance. In short, intercropping and close-planting is the one of best measures which can enhanced yield and WUE equally in the Desert Oasis region of Hexi.

Key words: intercropping, close-planting effect, yield, water consumption, WUE