Effect of Surface Mulch and Contour Planting Maize on Soil Water and Temperature at Sloping Cropland with Red Soil

A field plot experiment on red soil in sloping cropland was conducted in 1999 in Yunnan Province, and the results showed that contour planting can improae soil temperature obviously and soil temperature of polythene surface mulching treatment was increased greatly in maize early growing period. Polythene surface mulching is of no avail to store precipitation water, but it had the action of adjust soil water content well and make soil moisture change little, so prevent drought and waterlogging in whole maize growing time. Straw mulch and combine with the measures of ploughing and no-tillage would not lead lower soil temperature and avail to store precipitation water, keep soil moisture in continual drought time. The fine effect of surface mulch and contour planting on soil water and temperature is the main factor to produce high maize yield in sloping cropland.