Effect of different mulching materials on arid-field soil moisture and spring maize yield in Weibei arid fields

During the year 2009 to 2010,various covering ditch cultivation modes have been applied to arid fields in Weibei using common mulch,biodegradable film mulch and liquid film mulch.This research on soil moisture,yield and economic benefit lasting two successive years aimed at an analytical study on the growth and yield-promotion of spring maize.The research showed that during the full development of spring maize,employment of common mulch and biodegradable film mulch can effectively facilitate water consumption of soil.Compared to traditional cultivation(CK),for soil with its thickness from 0 to 200 cm,use of common mulch and biodegradable film mulch had increased the average water reservation capacity by 9.2% and 8.6% respectively,whereas unstable results were detected in fields with recourse to liquid film mulch.During the two-year experiment,fields with recourse to common mulch and biodegradable film mulch saw an average increase in yield: 19.23% and 17.82%(P0.05) respectively,average water use efficiency: 21.49% and 20.25%.The economic benefit brought by employment of common mulch and biodegradable film mulch was also the most evident with an average increase in net income 22.09% and 20.44%,whereas the employment of liquid film mulch saw no evident increase in yield,water use efficiency and economic benefit.A preliminary conclusion was thus reached that application of common mulch and biodegradable film mulch could significantly increase the yield and water use efficiency with no evident difference between the two treatments.Therefore, biodegradable film mulch could be employed in agricultural practice as substitution of common mulch.