Ridge and furrow configuration improved grain yield by optimizing the soil hydrothermal environment and maize canopy traits in Northwest China.

Background and aims: Ridge and furrow technology is widely used to increase yields in Northwest China, where the focus is primarily on ridge cropping or furrow planting. However, the effects of ridge and furrow configuration (planting both on ridges and in furrows) on soil water and temperature, maize canopy structure and grain yield are still not clear. Methods: A 2-year (2015–2016) field experiment was conducted to investigate the regulatory effects of different planting systems [conventional flat planting (CK), ridge and furrow configuration with two rows of plants in both ridges and furrows (R2F2), and with three rows in ridges and two rows in furrows (R3F2)] on soil water and temperature, canopy traits, grain yield and resource use efficiency. Results: Soil hydrothermal environment and canopy structure were improved under ridge and furrow configuration, but did not cause excessive water consumption. Compared with CK, ridge and furrow configuration showed a greater advantage in water and temperature allocation, which increased leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetic capacity per plant and dry matter accumulation in furrows. Additionally, ridge and furrow systems represented a higher canopy light transmission rate to bottom layers, which contributed to more light interception capacity for plants. In comparison with CK, grain yield of R2F2 and R3F2 significantly improved by 20.5% and 12.4%, water use efficiency improved by 26.2% and 20.1%, and radiation use efficiency improved by 28.2% and 17.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Ridge and furrow configuration optimized canopy structure and soil hydrothermal environment, ultimately increasing grain yield and resource use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]