Effects of mulch and planting methods on Medicago ruthenica seed yield and soil physical-chemical properties

Medicago ruthenica (L.) Trautv., a wild grass species, is commonly grown as forage crop in arid and semi-arid areas of China. Herein, we explored mulch patterns planting methods for optimizing M. seed production the loess plateau Gansu Province, China from 2017 to 2019. The experiments comprised six treatments including (1) flat ground without (F0, control); (2) with transparent white 0.008 mm thick plastic film (FP); (3) 4500 kg/hm2 straw (FS); (4) furrow 10 cm ridges (R0); (5) (RP); (6) (RS). Results showed that harvested yield was highest under RP treatment, followed by FP FS treatments. Soil moisture content mid-May mid-August treatments, RS In 2018, soil temperature F0 R0 Total available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents were Comprehensive analysis result surface improved microenvironment increased ruthenica. Straw also effectively recycled excess straw, thereby encouraging sustainable development agriculture this area. conclusion, treatment considered best mode