Effects of Irrigation Water Salinity on Maize (Zea may L.) Emergence, Growth, Yield, Quality, and Soil Salt

Freshwater shortage is becoming one of the major limiting factors for the sustainable development of agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas of north China. A two-year field experiment about mulched drip irrigation on maize was conducted in Hetao Irrigation District with five irrigation water salinity levels (total dissolved solids; 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g·L−1). The effects of irrigation water salinity on maize emergence, growth, yield, grain quality, and soil salt were determined. The results indicated that with the soil matric potential of −20 kPa and irrigation quota for each application of 22.5 mm, the irrigation water salinity showed negative influence on maize emergence and maize morphological characteristics (plant height, leaf area index, stem diameter, and dry matter), as irrigation water salt concentrations exceeded 3 g·L−1. The water use efficiency decreased linearly with the irrigation water salinity raised from 1 g·L−1 to 5 g·L−1, while maize grain protein increased and starch content decreased with the increase of irrigation water salt contents. Additionally, both the vertical radius and horizontal radius of salt isoline by mulched drip irrigation reduced with the irrigation water salt concentrations, when the irrigation water salinity was above 3 g·L−1. Summarily, irrigation water salinity of 3 g·L−1 was recommended for maize mulched drip irrigation in this study.