Optimal Ridge–Furrow Ratio for Maximum Drought Resilience of Sunflower in Semi-Arid Region of China

Yuying Pan, Xuebiao Pan, Tan Zi, Qi Hu, Jing Wang, Guolin Han, Jialin Wang and Zhihua Pan
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Yuying Pan: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Xuebiao Pan: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Tan Zi: Integrated Water Management, Tetra Tech Inc, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Qi Hu: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Jing Wang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Guolin Han: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Jialin Wang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Zhihua Pan: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Ridge–furrow planting is often applied in semi-arid regions to reduce the drought risk on crop yield under rain-fed conditions. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) is widely planted in northern China and how to reduce the drought risk on sunflower production remains a significant issue. A three-year field experiment with seven treatments (a flat plot without mulching, three plastic film-mulching treatments and three non-film-mulching treatments with different ridge–furrow ratios (1.0 m:1.0 m, 1.0 m:0.5 m and 0.5 m:1.0 m)) was conducted to study the effects of the ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting system on the rain-fed sunflower. The results showed that the sunflowers in the film-mulched treatment with the larger ridge–furrow ratio (1.0 m:0.5 m) (M1R2) had greater growth advantage under drought conditions. In the dry year, M1R2 improved the yield and water use efficiency by 11.9%–107.5% and 13.8%–120.6%, respectively, and reduced the blight grain rate by 21.5%–32.5% with less evapotranspiration (ET) compared to other treatments. Based on the historical climatological data, the guarantee rate of sunflower water requirement for M1R2 was about 75%, while the guarantee rates for the other two film-mulched treatments were only about 40% and 50%. Based on the effects of drought resilience and the characteristics of precipitation, M1R2 is recommended to be the relatively optimal treatment for sunflower production in regions with similar climatic conditions to Wuchuan County in northern China.

Keywords: ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting system; plant biomass; leaf area index; soil water storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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