Effects of plastic mulching in ridges and furrows for varying durations on yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in potato were investigated in rainfed areas of north-western China in 2009 and 2010. The experiment comprised four mulched treatments (M50, M65, M80/85, and Mw – indicating plastic...

Rain-fed maize production in semi-arid areas of the Loess Plateau in China is constrained by low temperatures and water limitations during the early growth stage. Traditionally, gravel mulching was an effective strategy to increase soil temperature and moisture and, therefore, crop production;...

In this paper, the intermittent experiment of a vertical ground source heat pump (GSHP) system is investigated and the corresponding geo-temperature variations are studied. The performance of the GSHP system under intermittent operation and the comparisons of different intermittent modes are...

Evidence is given of the role of initial soil moisture content, θ <Subscript> i </Subscript>, in determining the surface runoff hydrograph at field scale, that is a crucial element when distributed models for the estimate of basin response to rainfall have to be formulated. This analysis relies upon simulations...</subscript>

In soil profiles, special emphasis has been placed on the migration of agricultural chemicals spread intentionally or accidentally into deep soils or groundwater body. To prevent soil water pollution and estimate the magnitude of the hazard caused by these chemicals, it is necessary to know the...

Monitoring soil moisture with spatial and temporal distribution is in big demand in arid and semi-arid regions. In Loess Plateau in China, where soil erosion is a major issue, information about soil water content helps in the planning of regional water resources and vegetation restoration for...

The paper is based on the researches carried out during 1976-2010 in the long term trial placed on the prelvosoil from Agricultural Research and Development Station Oradea. The main field crops of the area (wheat, maize, sunflower, soybean, bean, potato, sugarbeet, alfalfa) were studied. Based...

Double cropping is an option to increase feed production from a unit of land. However, summer crop yields may be depressed due to shortened length of growing season and elevated drought risk. We studied the effect of double cropping winter small grain silage crops (rye, Secale cereale L. and...

The installation and operation costs of drip irrigation systems can be reduced if the systems are designed using a lower uniformity. However, it remains unclear whether a lower system uniformity will result in a decreased crop yield and product quality in arid regions. Field experiments were...

Water dynamics and salt distribution in the soil were studied under Fixed Partial Root zone Drying irrigation (FPRD) conditions in corn fields in Northern Greece. FPRD irrigation technique was applied without deficit treatment in two calcareous soils, a sandy clay loam and a sandy loam. Soil...