No-tillage combined with deficit irrigation improves canopy photosynthesis and water use efficiency to stabilize yield in intercropped maize

Key Points

• Yield stability improves due to efficient canopy photosynthesis and water use strategies,
• As a key metric, no-tillage and medium irrigation significantly enhance carbon assimilation in maize.
• Analysis using coordinated tillage and irrigation strategies demonstrates enhanced agricultural practices for arid regions.
• These findings support scalable methods for water-efficient maize production, advocating for broader implementation.