Effects of Straw Mulching on Soil Water Storage Capacity and Grain Yield of Farmland

In order to further clarify the importance of straw mulching and provide a theoretical basis for straw mulching technique in Shijiazhuang wheat and corn growing zones,we measured the differences of water storage capacity and the yield of corn and wheat between straw mulching( the straw returning amounts of wheat and corn respectively were about 4 500 kg / hm2 and 7 500 kg / hm2) and none straw mulching treatment( CK) by field experiment during the two wheat-corn rotation cycle from October 2011 to June 2013.The results showed that the2 m soil water storage volume of straw mulching treatments were higher than that of CK,the water storage capacity increased by 2.16%-13.62% in the corn growing season and 0.95%-4.50% in the wheat growing season.The panicle number per unit area,the grain weight per spike,the thousand grain weight and the yield of treatments were all higher or the same compare with CK.The yields of corn and wheat were increased by 9.39% and 11.70%respectively.In conclusion, straw mulching could enhance the soil water storage capacity, improve the yield components and increase crop production.