Performance of different corn hybrids and their corresponding water consumption analysis under various water management practices: Insights from experiments conducted under rain-shelters based on the TOPSIS method

Hybrid selection and water management practices are crucial for sustaining corn productivity. The adoption of short-season hybrid (SS) represents the viable strategy to facilitate corn production in the North China Plain. However, there is limited information available regarding grain yield (GY) and water consumption characteristics for SS in this region. The three-year experiment was carried out under the rain-shelters with SS and full-season hybrid (FS). Corn plants were grown under three irrigation amounts (target relative soil moisture content was at 60% (WL), 75 % (WM), and 90% (WH) of field capacity). The results showed the GY for FS was 6.7 % higher than that for SS, SS obtained comparable or even higher water use efficiency (WUE) than FS. Soil evaporation (E) and crop evapotranspiration (ET) for SS were decreased by 7.2 % and 9.5%, compared with those for FS. The higher irrigation level resulted on the higher the intensity of daily water consumption during three growing seasons . The relationship between GY and ET was fitted to the quadratic function. A logarithmic relationship was observed between the ratio of soil E to ET and the leaf area index. The soil E and ET of summer corn demonstrated an increase with the augmentation of applied irrigation water. WM had statistically similar ( p > 0.05) yield and N fertilizer partial factor productivity (NPFP) compared to WH. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method showed the FSWM treatment ranked first, followed by SSWM treatment. WM was the appropriate irrigation level for both hybrids to maintain yields, improve efficiency and optimize water consumption characteristics. This study provided scientific insights into corn yield and water consumption characteristics in relation to hybrid maturity and water management practices. • The higher irrigation level resulted on the higher soil E and ET. • Soil E and ET were decreased by 7.2% and 9.5% for SS compared to FS. • SS obtained comparable or even higher WUE than FS. • The TOPSIS method was used to assess the optimal management practice for summer corn.