Soil managements can significantly alter surface runoff and sediment,
and improve soil water content. TTI under NC was significantly
shorter than that under SMs. RP, RVtotal and SYtotal under NC were larger
than that under SMs, but no significant difference existed among SMs.
The runoff and sediment release curves under NC and ST was linear before
the plateau value, while these parameters increased stepwise in
other treatments.
Mulching the whole ground with Jujube branches (100% coverage)
showed the best soil water conditions among all treatments. Both the
average soil water content and soil water storage increase under BM
were significantly greater than those under the other treatments. The
2-year mean soil water content under NC was the lowest among all
treatment. Among SMs, soil water content was lowest under BMWC
and ST in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Therefore, whole jujube branches mulching as the best soil management
practice. All of the jujube trees in the study area were subjected to
traditional management with shoot pruning during the sprouting leaves
period, which can help to prevent over-flourishing and reduce water
consumption. Mulching using the chopped-up branches will further reduce
soil water runoff and soil erosion, enhance rainfall water infiltration
and suppress evaporation. Therefore, integrating shoot pruning
with whole jujube branches mulching is effective in regulating transpiration,
increasing rainfall water infiltration, reducing evaporation, and
consequently increasing soil water use efficiency for a jujube orchard.
This could potentially lead to improved soil water shortage and reduced
soil erosion in rainfed jujube orchards on the Chinese Loess Plateau.