Research on the effect of straw mulching on the soil moisture by field experiment in the piedmont plain of the Taihang Mountains

To reveal the influencing effect of the long-term straw mulching on the soil moisture, this paper employed the field experiment data in 2010 of a typical area of Taihang Mountains plain, observed the soil moisture dynamic regularities under different mulching patterns by virtue of depressimeter and neutron probe, analyzed the characteristics of soil water content and storage in different depths and seasons under the long-term straw mulching. The results showed that the long-term straw mulching can keep the soil moisture conservation of the deep, while decreased the shallow.(1) The long-term straw mulching can changed the type of soil water movement. If no straw mulching, the type is mainly evaporation-infiltration. And with straw mantle the type would change into infiltration. The number of zero flux plane would be reduced or absent.(2) The long-term straw mulching can increase the soil water reserves of the whole soil profile with the depth between 0 cm and 220 cm. But the soil water content of the layer from 30 cm to 80 cm decreased and the soil water content of the layer from 80 cm to 220 cm increased instead., The effect of soil moisture conservation on winter wheat is not obvious;(3) With no straw mulching, the depth of infiltration recharge by rainfall or irrigation is shallower than 80 cm. In a straw mulching, the influence depth is can extend to 120 cm;(4) With no straw mulching, there is a deep layer on the depth of 220 cm between March and June, while this layer will disappear with a long-term straw mulching.

Superabsorbent Polymer and Rabbit Manure Improve Soil Moisture, Growth and Yield of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Production of eggplant(Solanum melongena L.)is influenced by limited soil water and fertility conditions that affect its growth and yield.The use of superabsorbent polymer(SAP),also known as slush powder and rabbit manure are among the strategies that can improve soil conditions,hence growth and yield of crops.The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of SAP and rabbit manure on soil moisture,growth and yield of eggplant.The study was conducted at Pwani University,Kilifi,Kenya.A randomized complete block design with three replications was used.The treatments were SAP,rabbit manure,SAP plus rabbit manure and control(without SAP or rabbit manure).Soil moisture,growth and yield parameters were determined.Superabsorbent polymer and/or rabbit manure improved soil moisture,growth and yield of eggplant compared with the control.Use of SAP had a better soil moisture retention,growth and yield comparable to SAP combined with rabbit manure.The finding demonstrates that use of SAP and/or rabbit manure may help in better soil water and nutrient management,particularly in arid and semi-arid areas to improve growth and yield of eggplant.