Responses of Soil Water, Temperature, and Yield of Apple Orchard to Straw Mulching and Supplemental Irrigation on China’s Loess Plateau

Abstract

The combination effect of straw mulching and supplemental irrigation on the soil water and heat, and the growth and productivity of mature apple trees on the Loess Plateau of China remains unclear. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the combined effect of straw mulching and supplemental irrigation (two irrigation types, ring and double-row drip irrigation, and three irrigation levels: high, medium, and low irrigation level) on the soil water and temperature, growth, yield, and water productivity (WP) of a mature apple orchard. Local rainfed cultivation was used as the control (CK). The results showed that straw mulching increased soil moisture by 2.4–6.5% compared to the CK treatment. Supplemental irrigation significantly increased soil moisture in the 0–60 cm layer by 3.0–8.1%, and its effect increased with an increasing irrigation level. Straw mulching significantly reduced soil temperature by 7.8% compared to the CK treatment. Supplemental irrigation significantly increased the new shoot length and stem thickness of apple trees. Under straw mulching, a medium supplemental irrigation level significantly increased both apple yield and WP compared to the CK treatment. In this study area, it is recommended to choose a combination of straw mulching and a medium supplemental irrigation level.