Effects of Water Erosion Control Practices on the Drought in Red Soil Sloping Fields

A field study was conducted to explore the effects of herbage strip cropping,straw mulch,polyacrylamide (PAM) applying in soil surface,and their combinations on the soil drought at 0-45 cm depth in red soil sloping fields.All these practices increased soil water storage significantly.Their effects on soil moisture retention and the difference among the practices were smaller in rainy period than in dry period,and increased as the depth of soil increased.These practices also slowed the soil drying and decreased soil drought degree,consequently,decreased the drought in peanut plant and increased the yields.PAM applying in soil surface and straw mulch showed greater effects on soil moisture retention and drought reduction than herbage strip cropping.When the practice of PAM applying in soil surface or straw mulch combined with the practice of herbage strip cropping,the effects on soil moisture retention decreased.