The results of studies in dryland in the west of Henan Province showed that different technological measures played an important role in growth and development, yield, soil moisture and precipitation utilization of maize. The yield of maize in all 13 treatments in the experiment was improved by 1.92-20.51%. The best ones were the treatments of straw mulching combined with nutrient water-retaining agent, which increased the yield by 15.38-20.51%. The second ones were the treatments of nutrient water-retaining agent, which increased the yield by 11.53-14.10%. The efficiency of precipitation utilization in 13 treatments improved yield by 0.45-3.60 kg/mm/ha, respectively. The best ones were also the treatments of straw mulching combined with nutrient water-retaining agent, which increased the yield by 2.70-3.60 kg/mm/ha. The results of all treatments showed that the comprehensive technology is an effective way to improve precipitation utilization. The effect of nutrient water-retaining agent treatments was the best ones among all the treatments of water-saving agents.
