The Benefit and Prospect of No-till and Cropland Mulch on Water Conservation of Loess Plateau in China

No-till and soil surface mulch are very important component of cropland tillage practice. Different soil management methods have different effects on soil erosion, soil water storage and crop yield. The objective of this study was, according to the water and calorific condition on loess plateau, combining with the research results obtained, to introduce no-till and soil surface mulch types used in production practice, their environmental and economical benefit and water conservation benefit in semi-arid ecosystem of loess plateau their application prospect of no-till and cropland mulch on loess plateau was discussed. It was put forward that no-till and biological mulch and straw or stubble mulch should be applied extensively on loess plateau. Straw mulch and plastic film mulch were recommended in flat regions, biological mulch was recommended in hilly and gully regions. This paper proposes that straw mulch could replace the soil mulch as special machines are developed.