Abstract: In order to determine the suitable irrigation amount and provide reference for spring maize, effects of different irrigation amounts (0, 13, 26, 39, 52 mm every time under shallow subsurface drip irrigation and 80 mm every time under flood irrigation) on dry matter accumulation and transportation of spring maize were studied through field experiments using Zhengdan 958. The results showed that with the increase of irrigation amount, dry matter accumulation levels increased before silking, while increased first and then decreased after silking. From the composition of dry matter accumulation at immature stage, stems, leaves and stems+leaves+grains reached the maximum under the shallow subsurface drip irrigation 52 mm a time, and grains reached the maximum under the shallow subsurface drip irrigation 39 mm a time. Dry matter transportation amount, dry matter transportation efficiency and contribution rate of dry matter transportation to grain were increased first and then decreased with the the increase of irrigation amount, and reached the highest under the shallow subsurface drip irrigation 39 mm a time. The yield was significantly positively correlated with ear length, ear diameter, grain number per ear and 1 000-grain weight in the yield component factors. Compared with traditional flood irrigation 80 mm a time, yield of shallow subsurface drip irrigation 39 mm a time increased 6.03%, irrigation amount was saved 26.56% and economic benefit increased 6.78%. In the experimental area, the shallow subsurface drip irrigation 39 mm a time which could increase yield, save water and mulch was the suitable irrigation amount for high yield cultivation of spring maize.

Key words: shallow subsurface drip irrigation, irrigation amount, spring maize, dry matter, flood irrigation