| In order to consummate the root-zone rainfall micro-collecting planting pattern of maize in semi-arid region and utilize water and fertilizer coupling, four levels of fertilizations were set up, namely high level (H:1 279 kg·hm-2), middle level (M: 919 kg·hm-2), low level (L:460 kg·hm-2), and no fertilization (CK: the control), to investigate the effects on production, nutrients utilization rate and the fertilizer partial factor productivity of maize. The results showed that the production of maize was enhanced with the increase of fertilizer rate, from 4.70% to 39.48%. Compared with the control, the absorptive amounts of N and P by fertilization were increased, up to 101.51%. With the increase of fertilization, the nutrients utilization rates changed in a parabolic pattern, whereas soil nutrient contribution rates and the fertilizer partial factor productivity both tended to be decreased. Based on the analyses of economic yields and fertilizer input costs, the middle level fertilization (N: 300 kg·hm-2 and P2O5: 150 kg·hm-2) sounded an appropriate approach under the root-zone water micro-collecting planting pattern in the semi-arid region. |