Effects of stubble mulch and tillage managements on soil physical properties and water use efficiency of summer maize

Field experiment on soil physical properties and water use efficiency of summer maize in three kinds tillage management of no tillage, moldboard plowing and subsoiling under two conditions of stubble mulch and no mulch with field and simulated rain fall methods have been conducted. Stubble mulch combined with subsoiling could balance and improve the status of soil temperature through the function of heat preservation on lower soil temperature condition and decrease the temperature at higher soil temperature. It could also increase the ability of water storing and preserving. After 24 hours of simulated rain fall, one meter deep soil water content was 26.1 mm more than that of the treatment of no mulch combined with no tillage, and plowing layer soil moisture was 9.73% higher than that of the treatment of no mulch combined with no tillage in whole growth duration. The soil density properties could be improved, and the whole water use efficiency was increased by 25.26% finally.