Optimized maize field with ridge-furrow and film cover.

Unlock Bumper Harvests: The Rain-Fed Maize Miracle You Need to Know!

Theo Raines in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the secrets to optimizing light and growth in rain-fed maize crops with innovative ridge-furrow and film cover techniques. Maximize your yield today!"

In the world of agriculture, light stands out as a critical resource for plant growth. The way plants intercept light (LI) and use it efficiently (LUE) is profoundly affected by their physical structure, dictated by both their genetic growth patterns and how we manage them agronomically. Practices like the ridge-furrow system, combined with plastic film cover, are gaining traction for their ability to influence leaf morphology, thereby altering light transmission, the light extinction coefficient (k), LI, and LUE.

A recent study dives into quantifying LI and LUE in rain-fed maize (Zea Mays L.)—a staple crop in Northeast China—under varying combinations of ridge-furrow and film covering ratios. The goal is to uncover strategies that optimize maize production in regions where climate conditions pose significant challenges.

The research focuses on the DRF system which alternates between wide ridges (0.70 m wide, 0.15 m high), narrow furrows (0.10 m), narrow ridges (0.40 m wide, 0.20 m high), and additional narrow furrows (0.10 m). Field experiments were conducted over two years in Jilin Province, Northeast China, testing four distinct treatments: no ridges and plastic film cover (NRF), ridges without film cover (DRF0), ridges with 58% film cover (DRF58), and ridges with 100% film cover (DRF100).

Ridge-Furrow and Film Cover: A Deep Dive into the Data

Optimized maize field with ridge-furrow and film cover.

The results are compelling. The DRF system significantly increased light interception (LI) by 9% compared to the control group (NRF). While film cover provided some marginal improvement, the core impact came from the ridge-furrow structure itself. Specific leaf area in DRF experiments with film cover was significantly lower than in NRF, and the leaf angle was 16% higher, which led to a 4% reduction in the light extinction coefficient (k).

Light Use Efficiency (LUE) in maize didn't improve with DRF0 alone. However, adding film cover to the DRF system significantly enhanced LUE, particularly with full film coverage (DRF100), showing an impressive 22% increase. This boost is attributed to greater biomass production and reduced assimilation portioning to vegetative organs, resulting in a higher harvest index. These findings offer a pathway for farmers to refine maize managements, especially in areas facing decreased solar radiation due to climate change.

DRF system boosted light interception by 9%.
Film cover enhanced light use efficiency (LUE).
Leaf angle increased by 16% in DRF experiments.
DRF100 showed a 22% increase in LUE.

What do these data points mean for growers? The structure of the ridge-furrow system is key to optimizing light capture. DRF encourages maize plants to grow in a way that maximizes sunlight exposure. With the addition of film cover, the plants become more efficient at converting light into biomass, leading to improved yields. Growers in regions struggling with solar radiation can leverage these methods to counteract the effects of climate change and achieve greater productivity.

Practical Steps to Maximize Your Maize Harvests

In sum, farmers now have proven strategies to enhance light utilization and overall maize productivity in challenging environments. By adopting asymmetric ridge-furrow systems and integrating film cover, growers can significantly improve light interception and efficiency, leading to better yields and increased resilience in the face of climate change. The key lies in understanding and applying these methods to tailor crop managements effectively, particularly in regions grappling with reduced solar radiation.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s13351-018-8024-7, Alternate LINK

Title: Asymmetric Ridge–Furrow And Film Cover Improves Plant Morphological Traits And Light Utilization In Rain-Fed Maize

Subject: General Materials Science

Journal: Journal of Meteorological Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Wanlin Dong, Hang Yu, Lizhen Zhang, Ruonan Wang, Qi Wang, Qingwu Xue, Zhihua Pan, Zhigang Sun, Xuebiao Pan

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific structure defines the asymmetric ridge-furrow system (DRF) used in maize cultivation, and what variations were tested in the study?

The asymmetric ridge-furrow system, specifically the DRF system, alternates between wide ridges (0.70 m), narrow furrows (0.10 m), narrow ridges (0.40 m), and additional narrow furrows (0.10 m). This structure, especially when combined with film cover, changes how maize plants intercept light (LI) and use it efficiently (LUE). The system was tested with no film (DRF0), 58% film cover (DRF58), and 100% film cover (DRF100), compared to no ridges and plastic film cover (NRF).

What do the terms 'Light Interception (LI)' and 'Light Use Efficiency (LUE)' signify in the context of maize growth and how do agricultural techniques influence them?

Light Interception (LI) refers to the amount of sunlight a plant captures, and Light Use Efficiency (LUE) is how effectively a plant converts the captured light into biomass. These are crucial factors in plant growth and yield. The ridge-furrow system, especially when combined with plastic film cover, affects these parameters by altering the plant's leaf morphology and structure, thereby influencing how light is transmitted and used.

What were the key data points observed regarding light interception (LI) and leaf characteristics in the DRF system compared to the control group (NRF)?

The DRF system significantly increased light interception by 9% compared to the control group (NRF). While film cover alone provided marginal improvement, the ridge-furrow structure's contribution is substantial. Furthermore, specific leaf area decreased in DRF experiments with film cover, and the leaf angle increased by 16%, leading to a 4% reduction in the light extinction coefficient (k). DRF100 showed a 22% increase in LUE.

How did the addition of film cover to the ridge-furrow system impact Light Use Efficiency (LUE) in maize, and what underlying factors contributed to any observed changes?

Light Use Efficiency (LUE) in maize crops improved when film cover was added to the ridge-furrow system. Specifically, full film coverage (DRF100) resulted in a 22% increase in LUE. This enhancement is primarily due to greater biomass production and reduced assimilation portioning to vegetative organs, ultimately resulting in a higher harvest index. However, DRF0 on its own did not improve LUE.

For maize growers experiencing decreased solar radiation, how can they leverage the DRF system and film cover to improve yields and mitigate the effects of climate change?

For growers in regions with limited solar radiation, the ridge-furrow system coupled with film cover emerges as a useful strategy. By adopting the DRF system, farmers can improve light interception and efficiency. The DRF encourages maize plants to grow in a way that maximizes sunlight exposure. Adding film cover enhances the plant's ability to convert light into biomass, boosting yields. This tailored approach is beneficial in regions experiencing climate change-induced reductions in solar radiation.