Optimal Irrigation Levels Can Improve Maize Growth, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency under Drip Irrigation in Northwest China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The effects of different irrigation quotas on maize growth, yield and water use efficiency were studied by a 9-year continuous field experiments. The experimental period was long enough, therefore the conclusion was relatively reliable, which provided important reference for optimizing the selection of drip irrigation quota for maize in Xinjiang, China.

1. The test area is located in Xinjiang, Northwest China. As we all know, Xinjiang is the main cotton producing area. So, What is the planting area of maize? What is the proportion of drip irrigation in maize planting? Does the study of drip irrigation maize irrigation quotas in this area have production significance?

2. Why were 4200m³·hm^-2,4800m³·hm^-2,5400m³·hm^-2 and 6000m³·hm^-2 set in this experiment as four irrigation quotas? What is the basis for setting? Under these irrigation quotas, is maize fully irrigated or deficit irrigated? If deficit irrigation, what is the degree of deficit?

3. Water use efficiency (WUE) is of great significance to this paper. Precipitation and other reasons should be considered, therefore,  water use efficiency (WUE) indicators is recommended to be considered in the result part of the manuscript. Emphasizing WUE rather than irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in the paper, which is conducive to comparison with other studies. It is recommended to directly change the title to “Optimal Irrigation Levels Improves Maize Growth, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency under Drip Irrigation in Northwest China”.

4. In the introduction part, the cited literature [20] has little to do with the theme of this article, and it is recommended to replace the relevant literature. The research results of reference [21] was not clear. (page2/line80-84)

5. The sowing time and harvest time (page3/line124-127) and sampling time (page5/line166-170) is suggested to be unified into a table for easy reading.

6. Add subheading 2.1 Experiment Site. Supplement groundwater depth data in test area. (page3/line99-107)

7. Authors should provided the test materials section with information on maize varieties and drip tapes. (page4/line136-144)

8. 3.1.2 Title for Dry Matter Accumulation (page6/line215) is different from the content (page7/line237-238) Fig.4 title, please make corresponding revision.

9. Different soil texture, planting patterns, soil conditions, drip irrigation belt configuration, irrigation system, maize varieties and other conditions will bring different research results. It is suggested to increase the discussion of research limitations. (page10/line340)

10. Some language expressions are suggested to be modified, such as (page11/line354) Hence optimizing the irrigation quota (5400m³·hm^-2 treatment) can effectively improve maize growth, yield, and water use efficiency under drip irrigation in the northwest region. The (5400m³·hm^-2 treatment) should be changed to 5400m³·hm^-2. Please read the full text carefully, and please revise the similar expressions one by one.

11. Condense the conclusion part. (page11/line242-258)

Author Response

Thank you very much for the advice of the experts, we will reply to upload through the attachment.

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Reviewer 2 Report

Please see the attachment

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you very much for the advice of the experts, we will reply to upload through the attachment.

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Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors! I appreciate your efforts in improving of manuscript.

Somewhere the references prepared not according to journals rules.

You could discuss and cite extra papers in article (which I suggest and others).

 Kind regards, ….

Author Response

Thank you very much for your valuable comments, we will upload the changes in the form of attachments.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf