A field experiment was conducted in 2013—2015 at Shouyang in Shanxi Province of China

to study the effects of different mulching modes on the changes of soil moisture and temperature

and to explore the best planting pattern of dryland maize in Shanxi Province. Three different mulching patterns were included

i.e. plastic film-straw overlay (MS)

full plastic film mulching (FM)

narrow plastic film mulching (NM). And soil temperature

moisture

and yield of spring maize were assessed using traditional farming pattern as control (CK). Results showed that the diurnal variation of MS was smaller than that of FM

NM and CK

the difference was 8.8 ℃; and 25～35 d after sowing

the temperature in 15cm soil layer increased from 19.1 ℃ to 26.5 ℃

showing a weak warming effect. During the whole growth period of maize

MS raised 68 mm of soil storage in the 0-160 cm soil layer compared to CK

and the 3-year average water content in MS

FM and NM increased by 4.5%

0.4% and 1.2% respectively. Compared to CK

maize yield of MS increased by 17.4%

WUE of MS increased by 24.8% . Thus

the plastic film combined with straw mulch could improve soil temperature

moisture

and consequently improve maize yield and WUE

should be the best mulching pattern for dryland maize cultivation in Shanxi Province.