Study Of Film Mulching And Chemistry Preparation On Millet In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Ningxia

Changes of rainfall yearly and season distribution were relatively great in semi-arid areas of southern Ningxia which is from 280mm to 450mm. Shortage of soil moisture in farmland and contradiction between rainfall and plant need restricted agricultural progress in this areas, so how to use and conserve limited rainfall resource is the key of sustainable agriculture. Whole upgrade of water use efficiency and the ecological and social benefit of technique integration were mainly researched between film mulching and chemistry preparation (including FA and super water absorbent polymers or SW).The experiments were carried out from 2003 to 2004 in Haiyuan county, southern Ningxia, which altitude is about 1800m, at the same time millet was selected as trial material, and many treatments were conducted. Growth stage, dynamic change of soil moisture, physiological index, effect of soil temperature, and factors of yield were surveyed and measured during growth period of millet. Furthermore, the valuable results and conclusions as follows:1. Growth stage and physiological index of millet under different treatments Seedling the mode of hole seeding on film (HF) was earlier 4~10d, and the accumulationof dry matter of that in the early stage was obviously higher than other treatments. Seedling the mode of furrow seeding with film(FF) was earlier 3~4d than non-mulched, and advantage of growth (such as plant height, photosynthesis, accumulation of dry matter, and Stem cut juice from root) appeared in late stage. Physiological index (such as plant height, dry matter, photosynthesis, and content of chlorophyll) had a little improvement by chemistry preparation (CP). At the same time, there was correlation among physiological characteristics of Aneurolepidium dasystachys, environmental factors and yield. For Aneurolepidium dasystachys of plant, effect of environmental factors may be more than that of Content of chlorophyll in semi-arid areas.2. Ecological effects of water under different treatmentsThe results showed that the mode of FF had finer effects on collecting and conservingwater during the whole growth period, and water storage under its ridge had function of buffer. The mode of HF had obviously conserve soil moisture during growth period. Because it can effectively improve the water supply capacity about 8.11% and 22.99% at the end of growth seasons in 2003 and 2004, the mode of FF had effects on water for the next season. CP had effects on saving water and high-efficiency (such as soil moisture and yield).3. Effects of temperature under film mulchingUnder the mode of HF, soil temperature was increased by 4.2°Cand 5.1°Crespectively, compared with FF and non-mulched during seedling stage. With augment of field cover rate, function of increasing temperature of HF reduced during late stage, but it had the function of conserving temperature. For example, soil temperature was increased by 0.8°C compared with non-mulched during filling period.4. Study of winter fallowFilm mulching in winter fallow (including furrow seeding with film and hole seeding on film) had function of conserving water. Water storage of WH and WF was increased by 24.9mm and 7.1mm, respectively, compared with CK before sowing. Because of increasing of cost on twice film mulching, though yield and net income of WH was most in all treatments, ratio of input and output reduced.5. Yield and WUE under different treatmentsThe condition of different rainfall during growth period and different basic soil moisture before sowing had different effect on yield of FF and HF. Yield of FF and HF were increased by 90.01%, 80.96%, and WUE were upgraded by 7.55kg/hm2 ? mm, 5.51kg/hm2 ? mm, respectively, compared with non-mulched. The millet yields with CP were increased by 10.42% and 7.66% with FA and SW, and WUE increased by 0.87 kg/hm2 ? mm and 0.69 kg/hm2 ? mm, respectively, compared with non-used treatments.6. Effects of technique integration between collecting and conserving waterBy application of film mulching and chemistry preparation, the effects of increasing yield and income were obviously enhanced, and WUE was increased. Therefore, application of integration between collecting and conserving water will establish the foundation of sustainable agriculture in semi-arid areas.