Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of rainfall harvesting and mulching technologies on soil water, temperature, and maize yield in Loess Plateau region of China

Rong Li A B D , Xianqing Hou A B D , Zhikuan Jia A B C , Qingfang Han A B and Baoping Yang A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The Chinese Institute of Water-saving Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.

B Key Laboratory of Crop Production and Ecology, Minister of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.

C Corresponding author. Email: zhikuan@tom.com

D R. Li and X. Q. Hou contributed equally to this work.

Soil Research 50(2) 105-113 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR11331
Submitted: 29 September 2011  Accepted: 8 February 2012   Published: 19 March 2012

Abstract

Precipitation is the major factor limiting crop growth in the semi-arid Loess Plateau region of China. Ridge-and-furrow rainfall harvesting systems (RFRHS) with mulches are used to increase water availability to crops, thereby improving and stabilising agricultural production in the semi-arid region of China. We conducted a field experiment from 2007 to 2010 in the Weibei Highlands of China, to determine the influence of RFRHS with different mulching patterns on soil water content, temperature, water-use efficiency, and maize yield (Zea mays L.). Ridges were covered with standard plastic film in all RFRHS treatments, while different furrow treatments were mulched with standard plastic film (PP), biodegradable film (PB), maize straw (PS), or liquid film (PL), or left uncovered (P). A conventional flat treatment without mulching was used as the control. In the early stage of maize growth, the topsoil temperature (5–20 cm) under PP and PB was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than under the control, whereas the soil temperature under PS was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than under the control. Treatments PP, PB, and PS also significantly improved soil water content during early growth stages. There was no significant difference in soil water content between PS and the control during middle and late growth stages. However, the soil water content in the deep soil layers with PP and PB was less than that of the control. Soil temperature and soil water content of PL and P were slightly higher than the control during the whole growing season. Higher maize yield and water-use efficiency was found with PP, PB, and PS. Compared with the control, the 4-year average maize yield with PP, PB, and PS was significantly (P < 0.05) increased, by 35, 35, and 34%, while the average water-use efficiency increased by 30, 31, and 29%, respectively. Net income was highest with PS, followed by PB, where the 4-year average net income increased by 2779 and 2752 Chinese yuan (CNY) ha–1, respectively, compared with the control. Soil water and temperature conditions were improved, while the maize yield and net income were increased, when ridges were covered with standard plastic film and the furrows were mulched with either biodegradable film or straw. Therefore, these two treatments are considered most efficient for maize production in the drought-prone, semi-humid region of the Loess Plateau, China.

Additional keywords: mulch, ridge and furrow rainwater harvesting, spring maize, soil temperature, soil water, yield.


References

Acharya CL, Hati KM, Bandyopadhyay KK (2005) Mulches. In ‘Encyclopedia of soils in the environment’. (Eds D Hillel, C Rosenzweig, DS Pawlson, KM Scow, MJ Sorger, DL Sparks, J Hatfield) pp. 521–532. (Elsevier B.V.: Amsterdam)

Briassoulis D (2006) Mechanical behaviour of biodegradable agricultural films under real field conditions. Polymer Degradation & Stability 91, 1256–1272.
Mechanical behaviour of biodegradable agricultural films under real field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XitVKis7s%3D&md5=a3f77b1a05ee2268e704837f2662f1c1CAS |

Carter D, Miller S (1991) Three years experience with an on-farm macro-catchment water harvesting system in Botswana. Agricultural Water Management 19, 191–203.
Three years experience with an on-farm macro-catchment water harvesting system in Botswana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chen SY, Zhang XY, Pei D, Sun HY (2004) Soil evaporation and soil temperature in maize field mulched with wheat straw. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage 23, 34–36.

Chinese Academy of Sciences Nanjing Soil Research Institute (1983) ‘Soil physics and chemistry analysis.’ pp. 62–126. (Shanghai Science and Technology Press: Shanghai) [in Chinese]

Edwards L, Burney JR, Richter G, MacRae AH (2000) Evaluation of compost and straw mulching on soil-loss characteristics in erosion plots of potatoes in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 81, 217–222.
Evaluation of compost and straw mulching on soil-loss characteristics in erosion plots of potatoes in Prince Edward Island, Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fabrizzi KP, Garcia FO, Costa JL, Picone LI (2005) Soil water dynamics, physical properties and corn and wheat responses to minimum and no-tillage systems in the southern Pampas of Argentina. Soil & Tillage Research 81, 57–69.
Soil water dynamics, physical properties and corn and wheat responses to minimum and no-tillage systems in the southern Pampas of Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fang RY, Tong YN, Liang DL, Fang J (2003) Effect of different mulching on spring corn yield and on soil environment in Loess Plateau. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 14, 1897–1900 [in Chinese].

Gao YJ, Li SX (2005) Cause and mechanism of crop yield reduction under straw mulch in dry land. Transactions of the CSAE 21, 15–19 [in Chinese].

Ghosh PK, Dayal D, Bandyopadhyay KK, Mohanty K (2006) Evaluation of straw and polythene mulch for enhancing productivity of irrigated summer groundnut. Field Crops Research 99, 76–86.
Evaluation of straw and polythene mulch for enhancing productivity of irrigated summer groundnut.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Horton R, Bristow KL, Kluitenberg GJ, Sauer TJ (1996) Crop residue effects on surface radiation and energy balance—Review. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 54, 27–37.
Crop residue effects on surface radiation and energy balance—Review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Immirzi B, Santagata G, Vox G, Schettini E (2009) Preparation, characterisation and field-testing of a biodegradable sodium alginate-based spray mulch. Biosystems Engineering 102, 461–472.
Preparation, characterisation and field-testing of a biodegradable sodium alginate-based spray mulch.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li FR, Zhao SL, Geballe GT (2000a) Water use patterns and agronomic performance for some cropping systems with and without fallow crops in a semi-arid environment of northwest China. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 79, 129–142.
Water use patterns and agronomic performance for some cropping systems with and without fallow crops in a semi-arid environment of northwest China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li XY, Gong JD, Wei XH (2000b) In-situ rainwater harvesting and gravel mulch combination for corn production in the dry semi-arid region of China. Journal of Arid Environments 46, 371–382.
In-situ rainwater harvesting and gravel mulch combination for corn production in the dry semi-arid region of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li XY, Gong JD, Gao QZ, Li FR (2001) Incorporation of ridge and furrow method of rainfall harvesting with mulching for crop production under semiarid conditions. Agricultural Water Management 50, 173–183.
Incorporation of ridge and furrow method of rainfall harvesting with mulching for crop production under semiarid conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li HL, Luo CY, Zhang XZ (2010) Hand-held corn sower design research. Modern Manufacturing Technology and Equipment 5, 12–13 [in Chinese].

Liu Y, Shen YF, Yang SJ, Li SQ, Chen F (2011) Effect of mulch and irrigation practices on soil water, soil temperature and the grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Loess Plateau, China. African Journal of Agricultural Research 6, 2175–2182.

Mahmoudpour M, Stapleton J (1997) Influence of sprayable mulch colour on yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Millionaire). Scientia Horticulturae 70, 331–338.
Influence of sprayable mulch colour on yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Millionaire).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Olasantan FO (1999) Effect of time of mulching on soil temperature and moisture regime and emergence, growth and yield of white yam in western Nigeria. Soil & Tillage Research 50, 215–221.
Effect of time of mulching on soil temperature and moisture regime and emergence, growth and yield of white yam in western Nigeria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Qiao HJ, Huang GB, Feng FX, Wang LL (2008) Degradation and its effect on corn growth of biodegradable mulch film. Journal of Gansu Agricultural University 43, 71–75 [in Chinese].

Ramakrishna A, Tam HM, Wani SP, Long TD (2006) Effect of mulch on soil temperature, moisture, weed infestation and yield of groundnut in northern Vietnam. Field Crops Research 95, 115–125.
Effect of mulch on soil temperature, moisture, weed infestation and yield of groundnut in northern Vietnam.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ren XL, Jia ZK, Chen XL (2008) Rainfall concentration for increasing corn production under semiarid climate. Agricultural Water Management 95, 1293–1302.
Rainfall concentration for increasing corn production under semiarid climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ren XL, Chen XL, Jia ZK (2010) Effect of rainfall collecting with ridge and furrow on soil moisture and root growth of corn in semiarid northwest China. Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science 196, 109–122.
Effect of rainfall collecting with ridge and furrow on soil moisture and root growth of corn in semiarid northwest China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Romic D, Romic M, Borosic J, Poljak M (2003) Mulching decreases nitrate leaching in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation. Agricultural Water Management 60, 87–97.
Mulching decreases nitrate leaching in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scarascia-Mugnozza G, Schettini E, Vox G, Malinconico M, Immirzi B, Pagliara S (2006) Mechanical properties decay and morphological behaviour of biodegradable films for agricultural mulching in real scale experiment. Polymer Degradation & Stability 91, 2801–2808.
Mechanical properties decay and morphological behaviour of biodegradable films for agricultural mulching in real scale experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XptlGis7Y%3D&md5=25ad5016d6deafc82eab6c300c9a5ea5CAS |

Schettini E, Vox G, De Lucia B (2007) Effects of the radiometric properties of innovative biodegradable mulching materials on snapdragon cultivation. Scientia Horticulturae 112, 456–461.
Effects of the radiometric properties of innovative biodegradable mulching materials on snapdragon cultivation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXksVyjt7w%3D&md5=7d4ec36a963bd1718cad32e47bcee722CAS |

Shen LX, Wang P, Zhang LL (2011) Effects of degradable film on soil temperature, moisture and growth of maize. Transactions of the CSAE 27, 25–30 [in Chinese].

Subrahmaniyan K, Zhou WJ (2008) Soil temperature associated with degradable, non-degradable plastic and organic mulches and their effect on biomass production, enzyme activities and seed yield of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 32, 611–627.
Soil temperature associated with degradable, non-degradable plastic and organic mulches and their effect on biomass production, enzyme activities and seed yield of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tian Y, Su DR, Li FM, Li XL (2003) Effect of rainwater harvesting with ridge and furrow on yield of potato in semiarid areas. Field Crops Research 84, 385–391.
Effect of rainwater harvesting with ridge and furrow on yield of potato in semiarid areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tiwari K, Singh A, Mal P (2003) Effect of drip irrigation on yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) under mulch and non-mulch conditions. Agricultural Water Management 58, 19–28.
Effect of drip irrigation on yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) under mulch and non-mulch conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang XB, Cai DX (2005) Integrated management of conservation tillage, emulsified bituminous mulch and fertilization in dryland farming. Transactions of the CSAE 21, 22–25 [in Chinese].

Wang SS, Deng GY (1991) A study on the mechanism of soil temperature in creasing under plastic mulch. Scientia Agricultura Sinica 24, 74–78 [in Chinese].

Wang YJ, Xie ZK, Malhi SS, Vera CL, Zhang YB, Wang JN (2009) Effects of rainfall harvesting and mulching technologies on water use efficiency and crop yield in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China. Agricultural Water Management 96, 374–382.
Effects of rainfall harvesting and mulching technologies on water use efficiency and crop yield in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang YC, Yan L, Zuo ZM, Guo H, Lai XR (2010) Effect of lodging of maize on yield. Farm Adviser (Grand Sight of Seed Industry) 8, 34–35.

Xia ZQ, Jiang HG, Li QF, Zhao SL (1997) Effect of mulch on soil temperature and moisture and analysis of water saving benefit. Journal of Hohai University – Natural Sciences 25, 39–45.

Xie ZK, Wang YJ, Li FM (2005) Effect of plastic mulching on soil water use and spring wheat yield in arid region of northwest China. Agricultural Water Management 75, 71–83.
Effect of plastic mulching on soil water use and spring wheat yield in arid region of northwest China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zhang CY, Yang XM (2008) Effects of liquid film on growth and yield of maize. Journal of Qingdao Agricultural University (Natural Science) 25, 227–230.

Zhang J, Sun JS, Duan A, Wang JL, Shen XJ, Liu XF (2007) Effects of different planting patterns on water use and yield performance of winter wheat in the Huang-Huai-Hai plain of China. Agricultural Water Management 92, 41–47.
Effects of different planting patterns on water use and yield performance of winter wheat in the Huang-Huai-Hai plain of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zhao AQ, Li ZZ, Gong YS (2005) Effects of biodegradable mulch film on corn growth and its degradation in field. Journal of China Agricultural University 10, 74–78 [in Chinese].

Zhou LM, Li FM, Jin SL, Song YJ (2009) How two ridges and the furrow mulched with plastic film affect soil water, soil temperature and yield of maize on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Field Crops Research 113, 41–47.
How two ridges and the furrow mulched with plastic film affect soil water, soil temperature and yield of maize on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |