Responses of rainwater conservation, precipitation-use efficiency and grain yield of summer maize to a furrow-planting and straw-mulching system in northern China

Spring maize yield, soil water use and water use efficiency under plastic film and straw mulches in the Loess Plateau

“…In the Loess Plateau, straw mulching and plastic film mulching are two common mulching practices that are widely used in crop production, particularly maize production. Straw mulching reduces soil water evaporation4 and increases water use efficiency (WUE) and crop yield4567. Straw mulching also affects soil temperature48 by increasing soil temperature in winter and decreasing soil temperature at other times of the year4.…”

Tillage practices effect on root distribution and water use efficiency of winter wheat under rain-fed condition in the North China Plain

“…This may be due to higher pre-planting soil water storage and optimal rainfall distribution. Wang et al (2011) found that the rainfall distribution during winter wheat growing season affects the water consumption and yield. Stored soil water accounted for 60-70% of the water consumption in the growing season.…”

“…Water use efficiency (WUE, kg ha À1 mm À1 ) was calculated by the equation: WUE = grain yield/ET according to Wang et al (2011).…”

Integrated nutrient management (INM) for sustaining crop productivity and reducing environmental impact: A review

“…Under rainfed dry-land farming conditions, the soil moisture availability rather than the soil nutrient level is the primary limiting factor for crop yields. Therefore, in the near future, INM practices should enforce their adoption in combination with improved rainwater collection practices, conservation tillage, tied ridging and mulching to increase the effectiveness of the collective seasonal rainfall and nutrient residues (Wang et al, 2011).…”