Mulching Measures Improve Soil Moisture in Rain-Fed Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) Orchards in the Loess Hilly Region of China

Water shortage is the main bottleneck restricting sustainable development of rain-fed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) orchards in loess hilly region China. Given effect mulching on soil moisture conservation, straw (SM) and branch (BM) were applied to a orchard this study. Soil dynamics, water storage, consumption, attenuation after typical rainfall under SM, BM, clean tillage (CT) studied. The results showed following: (1) 0–60 cm layer was seasonal fluctuation CT both normal precipitation year dry contents 0–60, 60–160, 160–280 layers SM BM higher than that three experimental years studied, most obvious increasing moisture. (2) significant storage all growth stages, had better BM. (3) reduced amount consumption by 94.3, 60.8, 121.3 mm compared whole period 2014, 2015, 2016, respectively. decreased 34.8 31.0 2014 (4) maximum loss rate continuous drought rainfall. above 37.3% eleventh day 2016. With extension drought, increased slowly. This study suggests best measure for orchards, pruned branches can also be used situ obtain certain conservation effect.