Mulch drip fertigation with diverse tillage practices regulating root bleeding sap, root growth, lodging resistance and improve maize productivity

Application of mulch drip fertigation improves maize productivity. But, diverse tillage practices with various mulch drip fertigation, whether it can regulate lodging resistance, root-bleeding sap, and root growth distribution across the root zone are not clear. Therefore, two years field study consists of two tillage practices, RT: rotary tillage; CT: conventional tillage with three mulch drip fertigation, H: high 370 mm drip fertigation; M: 75 % of H, moderate drip fertigation; L: 50 % of H, low drip fertigation were assessed. The results indicated that RTH treatment had considerably enhanced soil water storage, soil respiration rate and nutrient concentrations which led to encourage the development of root growth and maize production. The RTH and RTM treatments significantly increased root exudate, root dry weight, and root weight density (RWD) at various growth stages, reaching their highest values at 50, 100, and 125 DAP. Under the RTH and RTM during the mature period, the root length density (RLD) and NO 3 - -N in the 10–40 cm soil layer were significantly higher. However, on deeper soil profiles below 70 cm, there was no considerable variance in RLD between different treatments. In addition, the NH 4 + release rate was significantly higher in RTH treatment. Under RTH and RTM treatments, the transport rates of P, K, Fe, Mg, Ca, and Zn were considerably higher under various growth stages. The TRDW, TRL, and ARD at the RTH and RTM treatments occurred the t e and time of maximum root growth achieved (t m ) more earlier. The W max , average rate of root growth (Ć) and c m were significantly higher under the RTH and RTM treatments. The RTH contributes to root development, enhances the absorption capacity of soil water and nutrients, and significantly increases maize grain yield (49 %), biomass yield (39 %), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) (15 %), and irrigation water productivity (IWP) (80 %). In summary, RTH treatment has great potential in improving the root biomass, and maize production. • Drip fertigation with tillage practice can regulating root growth, NO 3 - and root bleeding sap. • Drip fertigation with diverse tillage improved the root lodging resistance and productivity. • Diverse tillage with mulch drip fertigation improved WUE and biomass producivity.