Abstract:

In order to explore the effects of high temperature and drought on the growth of spring maize, this paper took spring maize ‘Kehe No.28’ as the material, and set up three treatments of normal irrigation, continuous drought and continuous high temperature during the whole growth stage. The effects of high temperature and drought on spring maize growth in arid area were studied. The results showed that: (1) under continuous high temperature treatment, the spring maize seedling period was shortened by 9-13 days, the growth interval of the ear period was extended by 6-12 days, and the flowering and kernel period were incomplete; while under continuous drought treatment, the simultaneous period of spring maize vegetative growth and reproductive growth was prolonged by 3-8 days, and the grain filling and maturity could not be completed normally; (2) under continuous high temperature treatment, the spring maize grew fast in the early stage, and the height did not increase after tasseling; while under continuous drought treatment, the spring maize grew slowly, and the plant height was significantly smaller after the jointing period; under continuous high temperature and drought treatment, the total leaf area and specific leaf area per plant were smaller than those of the control after jointing period; (3) under continuous high temperature, dry matter distribution in spring maize was stem > leaf > leaf sheath, while under continuous drought, that was leaf > stem > leaf sheath, and the dry matter distribution in ears was very small, resulting in less economic output; while under the control, the order was ear>stem>leaf>leaf sheath; (4) under continuous high temperature and drought treatment, the moisture content was leaf sheath>stem>leaf. Under the stress of high temperature and drought, when the yield cannot be guaranteed, it is more appropriate to transfer grain to feed during the tasseling period. This study can provide a theoretical basis for scientific drought relief and disaster reduction.

Key words: continuous high temperature, continuous drought, spring maize, growth indicators, grain to feed