There were clear differences in ET among treatments, with a “single peak” shape during the entire potato growing season (Fig. 6). At the germination and emergence stages (0–38 DAP), CK had higher ET than full mulching due to the soil was almost bare in CK (P < 0.05). The full mulching reduced ET by 24.0–45.0% in RFFM and by 33.5% in DRFFM. But RFNM increased ET up to 32.9% in 2010, this occurred because of the increased soil evaporation under bare ridge-furrow conditions, compared to CK. After full emergence, full mulching treatment increased ET at most growth stages, by up to 18.7% from 39 to 156 DAP. There was no significant difference between DRFFM and RFFM (P > 0.05).