Different mulching and drip irrigation methods were studied to see how they affect maize leaf photosynthesis and yield in Inner Mongolia, China. The researchers found that at the milking stage, using full film mulching with higher drip irrigation levels resulted in higher photosynthetic rates. Maize yield was significantly higher with these methods compared to lower irrigation levels, showing that drip irrigation has a bigger impact on maize yield than mulching in arid regions. The study also identified key environmental factors like sunlight, temperature, and humidity that influence maize leaf photosynthesis.