Effects of different mulching methods on soil moisture, fruit tree growth and yield in apple root zone yield of apple

Mulching is an important measure to conserve moisture and increase yield in dryland orchards of the Loess Plateau, and it is critical to realize high and stable yield and sustainable development of fruit crops. Based on field positioning obervation, the comprehensive effects of different mulching methods on soil water storage, fruit tree growth and physiological status, yield were investigated. Treatments were straw mulching (SM), horticultural fabric mulching (BF), black plastic film mulching (BM), white plastic film mulching (WM) and no mulching (CK). The results showed that: (1) Compared with CK, different mulching measures can significantly increase the average soil water storage in the 0-120 cm soil layer during the whole reproductive period, which can provide a basis for the realization of inter-temporal water regulation; (2) Different mulching methods can significantly increase the growth of apple branches and LAI, and enhance the tree strength; (3) SM, BF, and BM can significantly increase the net photosynthetic rate, and BM inhibited the occurrence of midday depression; (4) Under the BF treatment, the yield, the anthocyanin content, the soluble sugar content, sugar-acid ratio and fruit hardness were higher than CK. Using the comprehensive scoring method to obtain BF as the optimal mulching method, so BF was an appropriate technique to improve the hydrological status, fruit yield and quality of apple orchard soil in the Loess Plateau.