Effects of Tillage and Mulch Methods on Soil Moisture in Wheat Fields of Loess Plateau,China

Effects of different methods of tillage and mulch on soil moisture at fallow stage were studied in rainy and rain-deficient years.Soil moisture content per 20 cm was measured vertically within 0-300 cm soil layers in an experiment with five treatments:deep-loosening tillage(DLT),traditional tillage(TT),plastic mulch(PM),straw mulch(SM) and plastic plus straw mulch(PSM),All mulch treatments were under no tillage conditions.Total storage of precipitation in soil from 0 to 300cm was determined before sowing,Results showed that the new methods of tillage and mulch were the basic ways to improve water condition in dryland wheat fields.In a rainy year,PM with no tillage played a significant role in storing and conserving precipitation.while in a rain-deficient year,the role was not significant,Due to evaporation.DLT did not promote the storage of soil moisture,SM was the best way to store and conserve soil moisture,In SM treatment the wheat yields increased by more than 20%.