Effect of Advanced Productivity in Dryland Farming of the Loess Plateau on Soil Water Cycle

Owing to the thick soil layer in dryland farming of the Loess Plateau, groundwater does not directly enter the soil water cycle, and the model of water cycle in dryland farming can only happen in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. With the increase in productivity during recent years, the new features of water cycle have been shown in dryland farming. Based on data from long term experiments in situ, these new features were studied. The results showed that the effect of advanced productivity in dryland farming on soil water cycle were to increase the depth of soil water consumption, reduce the rainfall infiltrating depth and decrease soil water content.